Diane C. Whidden

Diane Whidden, 72, of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully on August 7, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Diane was born January 9, 1954, to Barbara and Jack Smith in Okinawa, Japan. She grew up traveling the world, not knowing her father was CIA, living in Japan and Germany, before returning by boat to the United States in 1961. She grew up in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C., before finally settling in Fort Walton Beach, FL where she graduated high school in 1972. After high school, she became a nurse and worked as the head nurse in the cardiology department at Twin Cities Hospital.

In 1979, she met her loving husband of 44 years, Col. James F. Whidden II (Ret), when he fibbed his way into her life. The one and only lie he ever told her was his age, because there was no way Diane would date a “younger” man and he wanted that first date. Throughout their marriage, they traveled the world serving their country. At every stop, Diane became an integral part of supporting military spouses and families. She served as president of the Spouses Club at Osan Airbase in the Republic of South Korea and as the Key Spouse mentor at AFTAC in Melbourne, FL.

Diane is survived by her husband Jim Whidden, sisters Barbara (Don) Kelley, Susan (David) Quave, and Theresa Whidden; brothers Jim (Debbie) Smith, Jerry (Sherri) Whidden; mother-in-law Shirley Whidden; aunt Sr. Mary Ann Smith and LOTS (44!) of spoiled nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her chosen family, Michael (Kelly) Archuleta and Bruce (Ida) Hardy. She was predeceased by her parents, Barbara and Jack Smith; her sister, Sharon Martin; and her brother, Rick Whidden.

She will be remembered for her selfless heart, her unwavering kindness, her fierce love, and the grit that carried her through life. She had a way of making those she loved feel truly cherished and wonderfully spoiled, leaving each of us with a little more love than we had before.

A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 13, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow at Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne, FL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Diane’s honor to:

Dachshunds Seeking Forever Home Rescue

Hospice of HealthFirst

The Tim Tebow Foundation