With sadness we share the news of the death of the Rev. Diane L. Rhodes, 73, peacefully in her sleep on September 14, 2022 at the House of the Good Shepherd in Hackettstown.
A celebration of life of will take place at 2 PM on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at St. Andrew's, Harrington Park. A reception will follow in the parish hall.
After graduating with honors from the University of Chicago in 1971, Diane remained in Chicago and worked in management with the Illinois Bell Telephone Company. Later in life, she felt called to the ordained ministry. She returned to school and graduated summa cum laude from the Drew University Theological School with a Master of Divinity degree in 2004, and was ordained to the Priesthood on December 17, 2005. After her ordination, Diane served as Assisting Priest at St. Andrew’s, Lincoln Park (which later joined with another church to form Good Shepherd Episcopal Church of Lincoln Park & Montville). In 2007 she was called to serve at St. Andrew’s, Harrington Park, NJ and spent 14 years there until her retirement as Rector in 2021. Among other accolades at her retirement, she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the town’s Mayor for her many years of service to Harrington Park. Read her full obituary here.
Diane also served on Diocesan Council (Class of 2001), the Commission on Aging (2001-2002), the Commission on Ministry (Classes of 2013 and 2017 ) and the Disciplinary Board (Class of 2020).
She is survived by her late brother George’s wife Hielkje, and their sons Michael (and his wife Kelly) and William (and his wife Cindy).
Messages of condolence to the family may be sent to Michael & Kelly Rhodes, 540 Carma Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s name may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 31 Lynn Street, Harrington Park, NJ 07640.
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Diane to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by her example; give us the grace to keep the faith she taught and to follow in her footsteps. We entrust her into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
