"She fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith." ~2 Timothy 4:7 Diane Pierce Patterson went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 after a heroic battle against cancer. She was born in Paterson, NJ on May 13, 1962 to the late Magaline Pierce. After the death of her mother in 1966, she was raised by her dear uncle and aunt, George and Claretha Pierce. Diane grew up in the city of Paterson, where she attended St. Agnes Catholic School, Public School #24 and Eastside High School. During her childhood she ran track and traveled to the Youth Games. She was a member of St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a co-director of the youth choir; her favorite song was "Joy, Like a River". After her graduation from high school, she enlisted in the United States Armed Forces and served from 1980 to 1983. Upon her return to Paterson, she worked for a variety of companies. Her most recent employer was Eastern Christian Children's Retreat in Wyckoff, NJ. Diane recently re-committed her life to Jesus Christ and was a proud member of Christian Fellowship Center in Paterson. She would often be heard saying, "I'm getting my soul right and I don't have time for foolishness." Diane was a woman of great courage and faith and was committed to developing her walk in hrist. "Every time the church opens I will be there," she said and would make every effort to keep her word. Despite her illness Diane never complained and constantly expressed concern for others, when asked how she was doing, she would frequently respond, "Don't worry about me, I'll be alright." She was very generous, rarely wanting to accept gifts, but always willing to give of her time; whether it was to offer free babysitting, hair care or to help you clean your house. Diane had a special gift for calming and nurturing children. She coddled, cradled, hugged and loved all her nieces and nephews. She was especially fond of her nieces Ashley Pierce and Sanaa Shields and her nephew Elijah Pierce. Diane is survived by: a committed companion of twenty-three years, Elfero "Ice" Weddington (whom Diane affectionately referred to as "Flappo"); her parents, George and Claretha Pierce; six sisters, Shirley Pierce of Woodland Park, NJ, Vanessa Pierce Gibbons, Gwendolyn Pierce Shields and Catina Harris all of Paterson, NJ, Michele Griffin of Hillsborough, NJ and Pamela Pierce Bailey of Fayetteville, NC; five brothers, Larry Pierce of Chesterfield, VA, Jerry and Malcolm Pierce of Paterson, NJ, George Pierce of West Orange, NJ and Keith Pierce of Maplewood, NJ; four sisters-in-law, Stephanie, Keisha, Kateecha and Gretchen Pierce; three brothers-in-law, James Griffin, Harvey Shields and Todd Harris; nieces and nephews that she helped to care for Quasheema Demarest, Tahesha Weaver, Ashley Pierce, Che'Vonne Bailey, Shamika Lassiter, Elijah and Trinity Pierce, Braunya Dungee, Elias and Emma Harris, Pierce Griffin, Jaiden, Samantha and Joseph Pierce, Malachi Weaver, David Hammons and Aaliyah Phillips; in addition to a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but never forgotten