Diane L. (Scholefield) Lorimer, 81, passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. She was the wife of Richard “Dick” Lorimer for 58 memorable years and the mother of Rick Lorimer, Deb Lorimer, and Pete Lorimer. Diane was born on January 22, 1940 to Lawrence H. and Lillian (Rose) Scholefield.
Diane was a graduate of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and entered the work force soon after. She worked at Cherry & Webb, American Brass, and the Grinnell Corporation. After she and Dick married, she dedicated her time to raising her three children. During those child-rearing years she enjoyed opening and operating The Kuriosity Shoppe, a consignment store in Warwick. She later went to work at Metropolitan Life for more than 20 years. After retiring, Diane volunteered as a mentor in the Warwick Public Schools, a volunteer job she took to heart and as such, was a positive role model for her mentees.
The most rewarding part of her life was marrying Dick and raising a family of her own. She was devoted to Rick, Deb, and Pete and supported their academic endeavors as well as their social and athletic activities. Her support ranged from being a Den Mother, athletic booster, sports carpool driver (the original “soccer mom”), cooking their favorite meals, and of course solving the never-ending dilemmas of, “Mom, do you know where my soccer cleats are?”, “Is my volleyball uniform clean?”, “My baseball pants are missing!”, “I need 24 cupcakes for school tomorrow”.
Two of her greatest joys were the births of her grandchildren, Adam and Maya. She reveled in their every accomplishment, from their first steps, to becoming accomplished college students. Diane had a unique sense of humor. She loved ribbing family members and friends and enjoyed giving joke gifts. Family members became wary of opening her “gifts” at birthdays and holidays for “fear” of what they might find. Lots of laughs would result, eventually followed by the “real” present. This has grown to be a cherished family tradition. Diane enjoyed the simple things in life. Her morning cup of coffee and cranberry pecan toast with peanut butter, sitting on the porch, going shopping with her sister or daughter, spending time with her husband, spending time with family and friends, watching the birds and wildlife outside, doing crossword puzzles, game night with “the girls”, laughing at “stupid” little things, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with Deb each night, the list could go on. Diane also enjoyed cooking and baking (and was extremely good at both).
One of the most important things to Diane was family. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings, especially family holiday gatherings; and later in life, looked forward to going to family gatherings hosted by other family members. Any time she spent with family, whether it be in person or talking on the phone, was special to her. Diane loved the beach. Including renting a cottage each summer when her kids were young, Sunday beach trips with other families in her neighborhood (for which she and the other Moms would spend all day on Saturday preparing for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner for the beach on Sunday), and many, many day trips to the beach throughout the years (with her husband, her kids, her grandkids, and friends).
Diane and Dick were blessed with close friends and until recently would join them for their regular Friday restaurant night. They were also fortunate to have traveling “buddies” with whom they enjoyed many special trips, creating cherished memories. For many years, on a daily basis they would join their mall walking friends early in the day for exercise and conversation. Diane was a humble and caring woman who always put others before herself. Her journey of 81 years began in the Pawtuxet and Gaspee Plateau areas of Warwick, growing up with her brother Larry, and a number of years later, her sister, Cheryl. Her life’s path led from piano and skating lessons as a child, to being a poodle skirted teenager in the 50’s, to meeting Dick, the love of her life, and becoming a wife, mother, and grandmother. Throughout her years she demonstrated her love for family and friends each and every day. Her love will live on in her husband Dick Lorimer, three children: Rick Lorimer and his wife Hope of Las Vegas, NV, Deb Lorimer of Warwick, RI and Pete Lorimer of Hood River, OR; two grandchildren: Adam and Maya Lorimer; a sister: Cheryl Knee and her husband Donald "Skip" of Wakefield, RI and her nieces and nephews: Gail Picchione, Larry Scholefield, Steve Lorimer, Ken Lorimer, Scott Lorimer, Kelly Knee and Jackie Knee. She was pre-deceased by her brother, Larry Scholefield in 2019.
Due to the current restrictions and health concerns, the funeral service and burial will be private. Diane will be laid to rest at the RI Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name can be sent to the MENTOR RI/Warwick Mentor Program, 2065 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI 02889 or, you can use the website www.mentorri.org.
