Obituary of Diane O. Kinnicutt
Diane O. Kinnicutt (Gerringer) nee Ottenschot
Diane Gerringer Kinnicutt (Nee Ottenschot) died on June 24th 2019 at the age of 71. She spent her formative years growing up on a farm in Homer, N.Y. attending and graduating from St. Mary’s School and the State University College at Cortland. Armed with her teaching degree, she left Cortland for Rochester, N.Y. where she taught for thirty five years, most of them in the Rush-Henrietta School District.
Throughout her career, she was highly regarded by her peers, administrators, students and their parents. She was a master teacher guiding her students, academically and socially. As her building’s Union representative she was a fierce advocate for her profession. After her retirement, she continued to volunteer at “her school” as well as in other areas.
She loved to travel, both domestically and in Europe. One memorable trip was with her sisters to Holland, the country of her heritage. She loved local adventures also; fairs and festivals, house and garden tours; garage sales; baseball and hockey games and lots of plays, musicals, concerts and movies.
Diane liked to push herself out of her comfort zone and learn new things. She loved her tap dancing classes, progressing from awkward to proficient, and amusing her teachers and fellow students with her sense of humor and ability to laugh at herself while learning new steps.
And dogs, dogs, dogs! How she loved her own dogs and all dogs. She was known for her doggy goody bags, filled with her organic homemade dog biscuits and given out to all her canine friends at every holiday.
She loved Christmas and giving, volunteering and wrapping hundreds of gifts for the busy teachers at her former school.
Her many attributes, generosity, exuberance, curiosity, fearlessness, colorful language, humor, acceptance and loyalty were always present in whatever role she played. Her willingness to give time and love knew no limit.
Diane was predeceased by her parents, George and Marie (Roovers) Ottenschot and survived by her siblings; Maria (Robert) San Jule; George (Dolores) Ottenschot; Robert (Robin) Ottenschot; Joanne (Robert) Norton, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many devoted and lifelong friends.
Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, August 8th from 4-7 PM at Miller Funeral and Cremation Services, 3325 Winton Road South. A Celebration of Diane's life will be held on Friday, August 9th (her birthday) at 10AM in the All Seasons Chapel of White Haven Memorial Park, 210 Marsh Road, Pittsford. Interment on the Nature Trial will follow as will a reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, New York 14450 (Donate Online) or the American Cancer Society, 1120 South Goodman Street, Rochester, New York 14620 (Donate Online) on her memory.
