Diane C. Apker

Diane C. Apker, 67

of Smithboro, NY

Diane Apker, 67, of Smithboro, a beacon of creativity and love, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born on August 2, 1957, Diane's life was a tapestry of vibrant quilt squares, sewn with her passions for wildlife, crafting, and genealogy. Her warmth and inventive spirit were the hallmarks of her existence, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her.

Diane will be missed by her husband Charles, with whom she shared 47 years of blissful marriage, her loving Children: Philip (Michele) Apker, Melissa (Jeremy) Hildebrant, Tara “Ellie" Apker, and Ben (Sara) Apker, her special grandchildren: Thomas, Xavier, Zackary, Seamus, Kein, Abigail, Emmy, Morlee, and Beckett, as well as a large extended family. She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Phyllis (Fulkrod) Welshans.

Diane's affinity for the natural world was evident in the menagerie of animals she lovingly tended to over the years. Chickens, rabbits, pigs, cows, and even an emu found a caring home under her watchful eye. Her love for these creatures was a reflection of her overall approach to life—nurturing, attentive, and endlessly kind.

Her entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly through Diane's Country Crafts, a beloved craft store she owned and operated. Diane's passion for genealogy was another facet of her multifaceted life. She delved into the stories of her ancestors with the same fervor she applied to all her interests, piecing together the past with the same care and attention to detail that she used in her quilting.

Abiding Diane’s wishing, there will be no services. Memories and condolences can be shared in her guestbook online at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Cornell University’s Lab for Ornithology by visiting www.birds.cornell.edu in loving Memory of Diane Apker.