Dorothy Baumeister Diehl was born in York, Pennsylvania on August 4, 1933, the youngest of four children. Her parents, Charles E. and Elizabeth Bond Baumeister, passed away when Dorothy was young. Her husband of 59 years, Douglas, her sister Eileen and her brothers, Bradley and Wendell, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Abby Hyatt and her husband, Seth; Hans Diehl, his wife Annette, and their children Eric and Chloe; Lars Diehl, his wife Karen, and their daughter Sarah; Greta Dowden and her husband, Tim; and Fritz Diehl and his wife Brenda.

From an early age, Dorothy showed a talent for music. So much so that she was given a piano when she was just a child. For many years she played that piano and used it when teaching lessons. She was an accomplished pianist and over the years used her skill to help support the family. Friends and family in Maine, Pennsylvania, and Washington well remember standing around that same piano in the Diehl family's living room as Dorothy played for sing-alongs. Those occasions brought her much joy.

In 1954 Dorothy graduated from West Chester Teachers College and then worked briefly as a music teacher for the Harrisburg school district. On June 8, 1955, she married Douglas Ray Diehl, also of York, Pennsylvania. After spending the first years of their marriage in Paris, France, they returned to the United States for the birth of their first child, Abby. In the following years, they welcomed four more children, Hans, Lars, Greta, and Fritz.

Throughout her life, Dorothy was known as a kind and gentle person. She had a beautiful sense of humor and enjoyed having a good time. She had a special way of showing personal interest in those who were less privileged. Child rearing and music were important aspects of Dorothy's life. She delighted in learning new things and was fascinated by the beauty of creation. She found happiness and contentment in what she had.

A milestone in her life came when after a thorough study of the Bible she found answers to questions she had asked for decades. In 1971, she was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. For the rest of her life she focused on her relationship with God, which also strengthened and benefited her husband and children. First and foremost, she was known as a faithful servant of Jehovah and that is how she wanted to be remembered.

She will be missed by all who knew her, especially her children, grandchildren, and extended family. We eagerly await the day that she also looked forward to. The day when those in the grave hear Jesus' voice and are resurrected to everlasting life on a paradise earth.