Obituary of Diane B. Prenatt

Diane Black Prenatt, 82, of South Buffalo, West Seneca, and Orchard Park, New York died on August 12, 2018 at the Father Baker Palliative Care Center, having been faithfully attended by her three daughters Suzanne, Elizabeth, and Pam.

Diane, the fourth of nine siblings, was born on May 26, 1936 to Spencer and Adeline Black. She graduated from Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing in 1957, and married the love of her life, David Prenatt, the following year. She graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1968 and taught Practical Nursing at BOCES until her retirement in 1991.

Diane’s three daughters, Suzanne P. Danskin of Pleasant Valley, New York, Elizabeth Witman of Whitehall, Maryland, and Pam Denny of Andover, Massachusetts were a great joy and comfort to her throughout her life. She will be missed by their spouses, Scott C. Danskin, Timothy Witman, and Patrick Denny, as well as her loved and adored grandchildren Kathleen Danskin of Arlington, Virginia, Maureen Danskin of New Milford Connecticut, David Witman and his wife Jamie of Halethorpe, Maryland, Rebecca Mee and her husband Chris of Chicago, Illinois, Michael Witman of Halethorpe, Maryland, and Geena Denny of Waltham, Massachusetts.

Although predeceased by her husband David in 2013, Diane is survived by a large and loving family. Among them are her siblings, Phyllis Schroeder of West Seneca, New York, Robert Black of Grand Island, New York, Spencer Black of West Seneca, New York, Beverly Earle and her husband Ron of Rochester, New York, James Black and his wife Diane of Orchard Park, New York, Gail Black of Springville, New York, Joseph Black and his wife Donna of Northville, Michigan, and John Black and his wife Tracy of Reston, Virginia. She loved her many nieces and nephews, their spouses, and children. She was known by them as “Aunt Diane with the blue placemats.” Diane is also survived by her husband’s brother, Harold Prenatt, and sister, Barbara Reichert, and her three children.

Diane always had a smile for her family and friends and will be missed by all.

In her retirement, Diane pursued her many interests of quilting, visiting her daughters, traveling the country with her husband, and gardening. She maintained active memberships in Covenant United Methodist Church in West Seneca, the Orchard Park Garden Club, and various quilting groups.

Diane’s greatest joy was in ministering to and helping others. She ran a Garden Therapy group for the Orchard Park Garden Club for many years, was always ready with a helping hand with the church, and carried out many projects there, such as baking for events, serving meals, and decorating the altar.

Throughout her many illnesses, Diane was always ready with a smile and word of thanks to her doctors and nurses. Her family appreciates the help and support she received from everyone at Mercy Hospital, and from all of the friends at Father Baker Palliative Care Center, Brookdale, Orchard Glen, and everyone who helped her in her last days.

Arrangements are by James Cannan Funeral Home (Southtowns Chapel) at 3155 Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park, NY with visitation at the funeral home on Friday, August 24, 2018, 4:00- 8:00 PM. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 10:00AM at Covenant United Methodist Church, 539 Main Street, West Seneca, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Covenant United Methodist Church would be appreciated.