Diane Terni Obituary

Diane Terni YEMASSEE, SC - Diane Diebold Terni, 74, died Saturday at her beloved home, Brewton Plantation, in Yemassee, South Carolina, after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Terni was predeceased by her husband Paul J. Terni and by her parents Dorothy Roosen Diebold and Albert Richard Diebold. She is survived by her children Linda Gavel Webb of Troutville, Virginia, Frank Joseph Gavel, Jr. of Newtown, Connecticut, and Stephen Louis Gavel of Yemassee and by her grandchildren Thomas Joseph Gavel, Charles Edwin Webb, and Rebecca Jane Gavel. Diane Treva Diebold was born in 1939 in New York City, where she attended the Chapin School and discovered a love of science and basketball. She graduated from Chapin in 1957. She spent weekends and summers on her family's farm, Toplands, in Roxbury, Connecticut and there developed her life-long passion for farming. After briefly attending Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, in 1960 she married Frank Joseph Gavel, with whom she had her three children. The marriage ended in divorce. While her children were young, she worked part-time as a teacher and girls' sports coach at Brookfield (Connecticut) High School. Having moved back to Roxbury, she worked as a coach at Shepaug Valley High School, helped run Toplands, and later served on the board of Rumsey Hall School in Washington, Connecticut. After marrying Mr. Terni in 1977, she moved to Lakeville, Connecticut, where they resided until 1985, when she and her husband moved to Yemassee and began restoring Brewton Plantation, turning it into a working farm raising sheep and goats, as well as a hunting and conservation preserve. Following Mr. Terni's death in 1997, she became even more deeply involved in land preservation efforts in the Low Country and elsewhere, as well as sponsoring many programs to help the children of the area. She loved South Carolina and as a year-round resident felt truly at home there and grateful to be able to be the farmer she had always been in her heart. A great natural beauty and former debutante standing six feet tall, Diane preferred to live in jeans and work boots. She was never more herself than when driving her tractor or bottle feeding a sick lamb. She inspired several generations of young people to be who they were, try their hardest, and make a difference in their town, country, and world. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Burial will be private. A memorial celebration of her life will be held in November. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to GrowFood Carolina, 990 Morrison Drive, Charleston, SC 29403 and/or Boys Farm, Inc., P.O. Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108-0713. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Sep. 10 to Sep. 11, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Diane Terni

10 Entries

Laurie Moore

September 26, 2013

Both Diane and Paul were dear friends of my parents. My children so enjoyed watching her sheer her sheep and absolutely loved feeding baby goats. When I was in the hospital, she brought me the most beautiful roses from her garden. Our sincere condolences to her family.

Roland and Laurie Searson Moore

Dan, Helen, Michael and Sandy, Darren Thompson

September 16, 2013

The Thompson family has been blessed with many memories with Paul and Dion. They were neighbors during the Brewton Plantation renovation. We miss them both. R.I.P. God Bless. Our deepest sympathy to the family.

September 15, 2013

I knew MRS. TERNI through my business I sewed for mr.TERNI steve and mrs. Terni they were wonderful people Iconsider it asblessing to have known them.margaret salinas

Joe Kennedy

September 13, 2013

Linda, very sorry for your mother's passing. The obit shows that she lived life fully, a nice legacy for your and your family. Best wishes to you all.

September 13, 2013

What a woman! I only met her once, but she was so memorable, and I feel that I've come to know her better through the loving portrait that Linda has painted of her over the years through the many anecdotal stories. All my love goes out to the family, especially to my dear friend Linda, at this difficult time.

Louise Gregorie

September 12, 2013

I was so sad to hear of Ms. Terni's death. I used to wait on her and Stephen when they ate at the Point Café restaurant several years ago. This is where I first met them both, and they were so sweet and kind to me. Ms. Terni was truly an awesome individual, and I will miss seeing her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Nina Zanella

September 12, 2013

Linda, my heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. What a lovely tribute to such a strong woman. I can see that you share in her tradition of making a difference. My thoughts are with you.

Jack Erickson

September 12, 2013

To Linda, Steve and Frank:
I knew Diane mostly during the period when she lived near Millerton after she married Paul. She was always great to Stephanie, me and our sons, Courtney and Philip. She was a strong, kind person with a number of projects and a determination to complete them all.
If one can leave a meaningful legacy I'm sure it was Diane.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult period.

Phil Erickson

September 11, 2013

To Steve, Linda, and Buzz:

Memories of Aunt Diane are many in my mind now, and always with a smile at a person who fiercely defined her life and cared so deeply for her family and friends. We remember her, and in that way things live on. We are with you and send our sympathy and hugs.

Michael Padgett

September 10, 2013

Diane was a wonderful woman, the salt of the earth. She loved her family, her farm, and her animals. The last time I was at Brewton I was allowed to accompany her and Steve to buy a ram, a randy beast that was named Michael in my honor. I am sad that I will not see her again, and I can only offer the most heartfelt sympathy to her grieving family, especially my friend Steve.

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