- Date Of Birth: April 11, 1938
- Date Of Death: August 14, 2022
- State: Pennsylvania
Diana Renshaw McGraw, 84, a resident of Kirkland Village, Bethlehem, PA died
peacefully on August 14, 2022 comforted by her children and grandchildren.
The daughter of James and Dorothy Renshaw, and sister to Linda (dec. 1993) Diana
“Di”, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 11, 1938. She graduated from Eastern
High School in Baltimore and earned her B.A. in history/religion from Boston University.
Diana received a Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University and completed
post graduate studies in Divinity at St. Mary’s Seminary. Awarded “Miss Congeniality” in
the Maryland beauty pageant in her youth, Diana was quick to make friends with her
warm, engaging smile, easy laughter and kindness which endured her lifetime. She was
previously married to Kenneth McGraw and raised their four children, Christopher (dec.
1981), Timothy, Laura, and Bryan in Baltimore.
Diana worked in the Baltimore City Schools during her early years as an educator.
Inspired by the Quaker community in which her children were educated, she had a 30
year dynamic career at Friends School, Baltimore, which she considered her second
family. She was employed in her early years as a part-time reading teacher and recess
supervisor, later as a third grade teacher, and finally as principal of the Pre-Primary and
Lower Schools. Diana believed that every child carried the light of God within them, and
was gifted in nurturing and connecting with others. As Lower School principal, Diana
often greeted her young students by name as they entered school for the day. She was
passionate to share her beliefs in the Quaker values of simplicity, harmony, equality, and
community in her speeches to parents, faculty, and students.
A devoted mother and grandmother, Diana enjoyed spending time with family most,
classic movies, and celebrating birthdays. She treasured beach vacations at Bayside
and Bethany, and rustic retreats to the A-frame “Goshen,” in WV where she felt close to
heaven. An avid gardener, Diana created and tended to magnificent displays of color
every growing season.
Diana was a former member of Grace Methodist and Brown Memorial Presbyterian
churches in Baltimore. In her retirement, she was active in the Towson chapter of the
Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), and volunteered at the Lanvale Shelter
for homeless single mothers and their children, planning annual Valentine’s Day parties
for families.
Diana is survived by her son, Timothy and his wife Stephanie; grandchildren, Amanda,
Matthew, Scott and Cameron; daughter, Laura and her husband Jeff; grandchildren,
Clarice and Nathan; son, Bryan and his wife Alix; and brother-in-law Steve Sears.
Scholarship Fund, Friends School, 5114 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21210.
