Diane Klein

Diane Linda Rosebraugh Klein, 84, of Head Waters, died on Monday, June 13, 2022 at her home. She was surrounded by her loving family and her three dear canine companions, Max, Buddy, and Louie.

She was born on April 30, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Albert J. Rosebraugh and Pearl (Julien) Rosebraugh. She attended George School and Denison University. While living and working in Washington, D.C., Diane met Paul Klein. They fell deeply in love and married on October 12, 1962, creating a life and a family together.

Diane was a gifted artist who worked in almost every medium, including pencils, pastels, oil paints, watercolor, stained glass, and fabric. She was an award-winning photographer, a skill she developed while working with her husband Paul on several widely distributed travel films as the film unit’s photographer. She and Paul, sometimes joined by their daughter Lisa, worked throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. She transformed every part of the world around her into a more beautiful place, inspiring her family with music, art, the exquisite gardens she created, and the stories and poetry she loved.

Diane and Paul found their forever home in Highland County, Virginia. Together, they designed and built their dream house in Head Waters, on a property they named Catalbe Farm, after their three granddaughters. Diane devoted herself to Highland County. She loved living in what she knew to be the most beautiful place in the world.

It would be impossible to list everything Diane did and everyone whose life she made better by her inherent compassion and drive to make the world better. She was generous with her time and energy. If she saw something that needed to be done, she did it.

Diane was involved in many community organizations, including the Garden Club, the McDowell Volunteer Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary, and the Highland Historical Society. Diane was a devoted and engaged member of the McDowell Presbyterian Church, where she was an Elder and the Clerk of Session for many years. Diane coordinated the Church’s charitable efforts including donations to organizations in Africa, managing the Church’s KIVA portfolio, and providing support to the U.S. Military and its outreach efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The playground that stands behind the Church exists because Diane wrote the grants and coordinated the entire project. She took great joy in creating something for her community.

Diane was an extraordinary force of nature who loved fiercely and unconditionally. She saw the best in everyone she loved. Everyone she loved knew it and felt it for every moment of their lives.

Diane was preceded in death by her beloved husband of fifty-six years, Paul Klein, and her sister Cheryl Burmeister.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa; three granddaughters, Caterina, Alexandra, and Elisabeth; two grandsons-in-law, Robert and Travis; four great-grandsons, Dylan, Hunter, Colton, and Gabriel; her sister-in-law, Joan; three nephews and a niece, Carl Samet (Leslie Samet), Jerry Samet (Marian Stein), Marc Samet (Deborah Kintzing), and Suzan Rosen; her brother-in-law, Roger; and a nephew and niece, Rory and Sierra, as well as many other loving family members and dear friends.

Diane’s memorial service will be held, 11 a.m. at McDowell Presbyterian Church, Saturday, June 25, 2022 with Rev. Beth Pyles officiating. The family will receive friends for a meal of fellowship following the service at the McDowell Volunteer Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to one of the many causes Diane championed. Contributions may be made to the McDowell Presbyterian Church, to maintain the playground, PO Box 66, McDowell, Va. 24458; the Southern Environmental Law Center, 120 Garrett Street, Suite 400, Charlottesville, VA 22902; or the International Rescue Committee, P.O. Box 6068, Albert Lea, MN 56007-9847.

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