"Cooking beans, making bread, drinking good coffee, growing herbs and flowers, and having some chickens clucking about. This is my lifestyle!" - Dianne Melder, 2014

Mary Dianne Melder, 71, of Woodworth, Louisiana, passed away on Monday, April 16, 2018, at St. Joseph's Hospice/Carpenter House in Baton Rouge.

Dianne was born to Alwin 'Al' Villemarette and Rita Villemarette, September 16, 1946 in Bunkie, Louisiana.

She graduated from Bunkie High School, earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Southwestern La. (now ULL), and earned her Masters of Education from Northwestern State University. She married Alvin 'Sonny' Melder in 1969, and together they raised their family in Alexandria and Woodworth.

Dianne was an educator with Rapides Parish Schools for 35 years until her retirement in 2016. As a kindergarten teacher at Glenmora Elementary for over 25 years, she shared her compassion and love for children by nurturing and educating hundreds of young students whom she considered part of her family during their time with her.

Always active in her community, Dianne participated in civic, church, and service organizations throughout Rapides Parish and enjoyed attending community and cultural events. She was an active member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Pineville where she was a member of the choir and the Court Bishop Greco chapter of the Catholic Daughters. As part of her calling to serve those in need, Dianne volunteered with the Good Food Project Garden in Pineville to teach children about gardening and healthy living. Dianne also visited weekly with nursing home residents at the Summit Retirement Center in Alexandria to pray the Holy Rosary and to provide spiritual care.

Dianne was also a member of the Central Louisiana Herb Society, the Central Louisiana Master Naturalist Program, a volunteer at the Kent Plantation House, a supporter of City Park Players and Kress Theater.

Dianne is survived by her three children: Chadwick Melder (Laura) of Baton Rouge, Monique Melder of Baton Rouge, and Marcus Amargi (Stephanie) of Eugene, Ore.; one brother, Don Villemarette (Janet) of Alexandria; and one sister, Ann Wegenhoft (Ken) of Columbus, Texas. She also is survived by 3 grandchildren, Alan Melder, Sydney Melder, and Oscar Amargi.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; father, Alwin; and mother, Rita.

The Holy Rosary will be prayed for Dianne on Friday, April 20th at 6:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Pineville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Bruce J. Miller on Saturday, April 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Pineville. Visitation will be in the church sanctuary from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. A private family burial will occur at a later date.