Diane Roberta Babcock

Diane Roberta Babcock died peacefully on Saturday, May 6, 2023, surrounded by the same love she embodied her entire life.  Diane was born to Roy Lester Anderson and Yvonna Mae (Walker) Anderson on April 8, 1951, in Newton, Iowa.  In 1962, Rev. Joseph Lee and Donna Elaine (Bradshaw) Babcock came to Newton to be ministers of the Foursquare Church.  Diane met their younger son Mark Oren Babcock in the church youth group and they fell rapidly and deeply in love.  Mark Oren’s parents were called to be missionaries in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa in 1964.  Even though separated briefly by geography, this amazing bond of love could not be broken. In October of 1967, Mark and Diane were married,continuing this remarkable journey of love, of “we.”  They brought into this world three wonderful children, Tamra Lynn, Mark Alan, and Joshua Oren, and thus began a beautiful family which would share their love with the world.

Diane always had a passion for teaching and nurturing children.  She enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School and Sunday School even as a teenager.  With the encouragement of her husband and family, she returned to school to formalize her education in 1985.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Central College in 1989, with a degree in Elementary Education.  She graduated from Drake University in 1995 with a Masters degree in education.  From 1989 until retirement in 2019, Diane was a kindergarten and pre-kindergarten teacher and mentor in the Newton Community Schools.  She was especially effective in early childhood education, helping children develop those initial social and intellectual skills for a lifetime of success.  Diane was a fierce advocate for children.  She was an active leader in the Parent Teacher Association beginning in 1978.  She served in multiple leadership roles including:  President Woodrow Wilson Elementary PTA 1980-1984; President of Newton PTA 1985 – 1986; Iowa PTA Board 1987 – 1999; Iowa President 1997 – 1999; Regional Director 1999 – 2001.  She met Jean Morgan early in her PTA involvement.  Jean and her husband Larry quickly became lifelong friends with Mark and Diane.  These couples shared decades of friendship filled with intense advocacy for children and rich travel experiences along the way.  In addition, she led children’s programs throughout her life at the Newton Foursquare Church and the Newton Congregational United Church of Christ.  Her legacy includes thousands of students who were touched by her unconditional kindness and careful attention to individuals.  Those fortunate enough to have Mrs. Babcock as a teacher discovered an early start to cultivating their best selves along with treating others the way they wanted to be treated.

Parallel to her teaching career was her life as a grandma to eight:  Tamra’s Tyler William, Kendra Lynn, Nicole Diane, Payton Mark, and Bailey Marie; Joshua’s Keaton Oren, Gavin Lee, and J Austin.  In these final years, the five great grandchildren have been the light of Mark and Diane’s life:  Kendra’s Mirabelle Lynn and Oren Michael; Nicole’s Teegan Diane and Asher Michael; Bailey’s Emerson Jai.  Mark and Diane created a true home, a gathering place of unconditional love, warm hospitality, intense joy, and engaged conversation.  They intentionally balanced lives that enhanced family, vocations, and community.  They have been role models of selfless love, generosity, civic engagement, and inclusiveness.  These final years have reflected the love that began in 1962 and how it has grown:  special family traditions at holidays and in the backyard; travels to Italy, North Carolina, Idaho, and Cancun; and ordinary meals shared together, reinforcing the extraordinary love of this family.

Those remaining to honor her memory and legacy are her devoted, adoring husband Mark Oren; her children Tamra Lynn (Ron Long), Mark Alan (Anthony Braida), and Joshua Oren; her grandchildren and great grandchildren; her siblings Helen Anderson, Jack (Chris) Anderson, Steve (Judy) Anderson, Tom (Susan) Anderson, Sally (Bob) Colby, and brother-in-law Mike (Fran) Babcock; her many nieces, nephews, and cousins; her thousands of fortunate students.

Because of Diane’s unwavering advocacy and nurture of young children, the Babcock family has created The Diane Babcock Education Endowed Scholarship at Central College.  Donations toward the scholarship may be directed to her husband Mark, Central College, or Wallace Family Funeral Home.  A private  Celebration of Life will occur on June 17, 2023.