Diane M. Wardrup's Obituary
WARDRUP, DIANE M. Born April 23, 1941 in Buffalo, New York to Sam and Wally Levitsky went to be with the Lord on June 24, 2011. She is survived by her husband of 38 years Jim, her son Warren Wardrup and daughter in law Jennifer Wardrup, son Jim Wardrup, daughter Kim Stevens, grandchildren, Jeremy and Jarret Gandy and soon to be granddaughter Tessa Marie Wardrup, her step- mother Pearlie Lang of Ohio several nieces and nephews and a step brother Charles Bainbridge and his wife Carol of New Jersey. Diane is preceded in death by her parents Sam and Wally Levitsky, Step Father Elmer Lang, step mother Marie Levitsky and Brother Mike Levitsky. Diane attended the University of Buffalo and held executive positions at several high tech firms including Northern Telecom. In 1983 she founded her own highly successful executive search firm Wardrup Associates, where she continued to work until her death. As a 35 year resident of the City of Richardson, Diane made a lifelong commitment to her community through volunteer / service work and was an active leader in many organizations. She served as past President and current member of the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation Board. She was President on the Board for Neighborhood Youth and Family Counseling, served as a past President and current member of the Richardson Rotary Club, was Vice Chair – Programs on the Richardson Independent School District Excellence in Education Board. Vice Chair – Richardson Arts Alliance Board and past Director of the Richardson Youth Leadership program. Diane was also a member of the Richardson Symphony Board and the Richardson Woman’s Club. She also served on the Women in Leadership steering committee. In addition Diane had a huge passion for friendships and golf. She shared this passion by chairing the Richardson Chamber Golf Tournament for the past 12 years. She has been recognized as the LRAA Outstanding Alumnus, Richardson Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Richardson Chamber Committee of the Year, Businesswoman of the Year by the NRCC Business Advisory Council. Diane was always a loving friend, a caring mother and a devoted wife. Her many friends describe her as being one of the most thoughtful and caring people they have ever encountered and consider it a privilege to have known her. Throughout her life Diane was recognized for her many achievements in business and community service, however her greatest achievements were her Love, Loyalty and Commitments to her husband and best friend Jim. The following was one of Diane’s favorite thoughts on life. We are comforted to know that she truly lived this way. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming, ” WOW…. WHAT A RIDE “
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