Diane Lynn McAteer

Diane Lynn (Richards) McAteer, 69, of Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026, at EvergreenHealth Hospice Center, surrounded by the love of her family, including her beloved cat, Max.

Born on May 2, 1957, in Albany, New York, to the late Jane Heath Smith and Frank Joseph Richards of Castleton-on-Hudson, New York, Diane spent most of her life in upstate New York, where she built a life centered around family, compassion, and caring for others.

Determined to create a better life for her family, Diane returned to school as an adult and single mother while raising her two daughters, Katie Jane McAteer and Sara Elizabeth (McAteer) Carey. She earned her Associate's Degree from Hudson Valley Community College in 1996 and became a Registered Nurse, a profession that perfectly reflected who she was at her core. Her daughters often accompanied her through life's many adventures, witnessing firsthand her resilience, work ethic, and commitment to helping others.

A caregiver by nature, Diane dedicated her life to serving those in need. Throughout her nursing career, she worked in a variety of healthcare settings across New York State, including the oncology department at St. Peter's Hospital. Her final nursing role was in home healthcare, where she traveled countless miles caring for patients throughout the state. Whether in a hospital room, a patient's home, or among family and friends, Diane was known for her compassion, kindness, and unwavering willingness to show up when someone needed help.

In August 2022, Diane was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. What followed was a journey that revealed the depth of her strength and determination. After moving to Seattle in late 2022 to live with her eldest daughter, Katie, Diane received exceptional care from the teams at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, the University of Washington Medical Center, and, eventually, Evergreen Hospice. While many expected her diagnosis to dramatically shorten her time, Diane continued to defy expectations. Through treatments, setbacks, victories, and challenges, she fought courageously and gave her family nearly four more precious years filled with memories, laughter, love, and time together. Her perseverance became an inspiration to all who knew her.

Beyond her work and remarkable resilience, Diane found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved reading, playing cards, puzzles, listening to music, tending gardens, and surrounding herself with flowers—especially roses. Her playlists often featured favorites such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Joe Bonamassa. Every home she lived in became a reflection of her love for gardening, with colorful blooms and carefully tended landscapes. A true homebody at heart, she was happiest with a good book, a garden in bloom, her favorite music playing in the background, and a cat curled up nearby.

Cats held a special place in Diane's heart. She rarely met a stray she wouldn't feed, shelter, or eventually welcome into her home. Over the years, she shared her life with many beloved feline friends, each of whom brought her comfort, joy, and companionship. Her family takes comfort in imagining a joyful reunion with those cherished pets, welcoming her home with purrs, head bumps, and unconditional love.

Diane is survived by her daughters, Katie McAteer of Seattle, Washington, and Sara Carey of Huntersville, North Carolina; three grandchildren, Alexander, Wyatt, and Madelyn Carey; her sisters, Sue Messier of Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Lani Richards of East Nassau, New York; and many nieces, nephews, friends, former patients, and loved ones whose lives were touched by her kindness and compassion.

Diane will be remembered for her generous heart, her dedication to caring for others, her love for family, her beautiful gardens, and the countless lives she touched through both her profession and her friendships. She lived a life of service, compassion, and quiet strength, and her memory will continue to bloom in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Though Diane's physical presence is no longer with us, her love remains woven into the lives of those she leaves behind. Her family finds comfort in knowing she is still watching over them with the same care and devotion she showed throughout her life. When you see a hummingbird nearby, please pause and think of Diane, and know it is a gentle reminder that love never truly leaves us.

The family is taking time to celebrate Diane’s life privately. Information regarding any future celebration of Diane’s life will be shared with family and friends when plans are made.

Memorial donations may be made in Diane's honor to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, whose dedicated team supported her care from October 2022 through April 2026, or to EvergreenHealth Hospice Center, whose compassionate staff provided comfort and support during her final days. Diane's family will always be grateful for the care, kindness, and dignity both organizations brought to her journey.

Donation sites:

https://www.fredhutch.org/en/ways-to-give/honor-a-loved-one.html 

https://evergreenhealthfoundation.com/ways-to-give/hospice/ 

Please share memories, photos and condolences on the guestbook, located below. 

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle