Diane E. Pendleton passed away at her Bradenton, Florida home on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. She was born Diane Rhodes Everest in New Haven, CT on November 2, 1934 and was predeceased by her parents, Edward H. Everest and Doris J. Everest, and daughter, Dayle. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Debbie) Pendleton, and beloved pets.
Diane graduated from Hamden High School in 1952 and Centenary Junior College, now Centenary University, in Hackettstown, NJ, in 1954.
Together with C. Marvin Curtis and Russ Rega, she revived the Pine Needles musical variety shows at the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club in Branford in the late 1960s and early '70s.
Diane retired from her position as Business Manager with Yale University's Summer and Special Programs in 1998, after nearly 25 years of service to the University, and moved to Florida.
A life-long animal lover, Diane had been a member of the Board at The Animal Haven in North Haven.
She continued her animal advocacy in Florida, joining a group of like-minded individuals, working to establish Manatee County's first off-leash dog park, which was accomplished in 2000.
Diane was an essential behind-the-scenes organizer for an annual Canine Christmas event that the group (which became Animal Network, Inc.) sponsored to support area rescues and Manatee County's, ultimately successful, No-Kill efforts.
Diane also lent her support to Bradenton-based UnderDog Rescue of Florida by fostering multiple senior and special needs dogs and was a notable foster-failure to Molly in 2010 and Ellie in 2023.
She would appreciate donations in her memory to The Animal Haven, 89 Mill Rd., North Haven, CT 06473-3447; Best Friends, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Kanab, UT 84741-2567; Animal Network, Inc., 3230 East Bay Dr., #103, Holmes Beach, FL 34217-2039; UnderDog Rescue of Florida, P.O. Box 351, Bradenton, FL 34206-0351 or your favorite Animal Rescue or No-Kill Shelter.
