YARMOUTH — Diane Linda Geist, 51, died peacefully at home Jan. 15, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on July 22, 1959, in Fort Ord, Calif., where her father, Donald Geist, was stationed while serving in the U.S. Army.

Growing up with her brother Dale and sister Jan in Buffalo, Cortland, and Plattsburgh, N.Y., she was very close to her siblings, and was often the ringleader.

In 1977 she graduated first in her class from Plattsburgh High School.

After attending Cornell University, she moved to Colorado and then Arizona, where she resumed her studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1985.

For several years she worked as a math teacher at Tempe High School.

In 1986 she married Kenneth Walker and four years later, gave birth to her son, Keston Geistwalker.

In 1993, the family moved to Otego, N.Y., where she gave birth to her daughter, Laine Geistwalker. Three years later they moved to Yarmouth, where she eventually resumed teaching.

In 2000 she and Ken were divorced.

Throughout her life, she relished physical activity, hiking in the canyons of Arizona and the coastal trails of Maine, and biking long distances. Twice she completed the Trek Across Maine, a 3-day, 180-mile charity bike ride.

In addition to her deep involvement with the Merriconeag Waldorf School, which both children attended, she also spent considerable time pursuing spiritual growth.

Most of her activities centered around her large circle of close friends, who lovingly cared for her and her children for many years.

She loved traveling, and took many memorable trips to exotic locations, including the Caribbean, Greece, Brazil, France, Mexico.

Above all, she loved to make people laugh, and she will be remembered for her vibrant energy and her brilliant, playful mind.

She was predeceased by her father, Donald Geist, of Shelton, Conn.
 
In addition to her children Keston and Lani, she is survived by her mother and stepfather, Constance and Joseph Zelinski of South Colton, N.Y.; her brother Dale Geist, his wife Laura and their children, Amos and Guthrie Geist, of Kenwood, Calif.; her sister Jan Geist and her children Althea Lozefski, and Christopher Milne, of Coventry, Conn.; and many wonderful friends.

A celebration of her life will be held on her birthday, July 22.  

Please visit lindquistfuneralhome.com to share your condolences, memories and tributes with her family.

Memorial donations may be sent to Merriconeag Waldorf School, Att: Lynne Espy, 57 Desert Rd., Freeport, ME, 04032, or to the ACA Scholarship Fund, Camp Wawenock, 33 Wawenock Rd., Raymond, ME, 04071-6824.

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