Dianne Janine (Vadeboncoeur) Chanatry

Dianne Janine (Vadeboncoeur) Chanatry, 69, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Dayton, Ohio following a brief illness but preceded by a 35-year struggle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  Daughter of a Dartmouth Navy dad and teacher/poet mom, she was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland and grew up in the Arlington and Fairfax Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C.  She excelled in high school sports, captaining her Oakton High basketball team and laying the foundation for a lifelong love of fitness.  Her academic passions at James Madison (Go Dukes!) University in Harrisonburg, Virginia centered on Social Work and Special Needs allowing for the beauty and resolve of her heart to lift up the less fortunate.  As a Juvenile Probation Counselor in Manassas, Virginia she worked a tireless caseload of challenging home situations, honing skills in living rooms and courtrooms while advocating for the needs of kids.  She loved the outdoors, especially hiking and camping, escaping many weekends into the Blueridge Mountains or Shenandoah National Park.

A chance meeting in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1980 brought Mike Chanatry into her life and they began a courtship and marriage that would last over 43 years.  When Mike joined his Uncle, Sam, Dianne happily (we’re pretty sure) embraced Air Force life, moving from Virginia to New Mexico for their first assignment.  Dianne continued her Juvenile Probation career in Albuquerque while raising Golden/Labrador puppies and developing her home craft studio. Soon, firstborn son Ryan, joined the mix, contributing to a post-partum exploration of the burgeoning fitness/health consciousness craze.  She began developing and choreographing her own aerobic routines, gained certifications, and became learned on matters of health not only for herself but the family.  With further assignments in Denver, Colorado and Fort Worth, Texas, she expanded to include maternity health thanks to second son Casey now on board.  Casey’s birth coincided with a family move to San Jose, California.  Whether at her favorite beach, inland parks, or boating lakes, she cherished this five-year experience.  She continued her crafty and fitnessy ways, overseeing all YMCA programming, while teaching multiple classes a day.  She made solid, lifelong friendships and established foundational learning models for Ryan and Casey that they still employ.   

Around this time the rhythm of life became interrupted with her MS diagnosis, relatively unheard of then.  Despite her core being shaken, she swung into full research mode and forged on. 

Their next Air Force assignment took them to Hartlip, England and three years blissfully touring the British Isles and European continent.  Dianne and her progressive “colonial” mindset and innovative ideas shook up the village school, including leading a record-breaking holiday crafts fundraiser.  Her local exercise classes were a novel success, even creating a previously non-existent social network within the “upstairs/downstairs” mentality.  Dianne’s desire to share her spiritual heart led her to establish the first children’s religious instruction program at the parish church, a legacy living on to this day.  But, in the midst of this idyllic journey, the MS cloud darkened, taking its toll in mental and physical realms. 

An assignment to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for Mike brought them to Centerville, Ohio, where they unexpectedly established roots.  A brief diversion to Austin, Texas and its heat began the subtle shift of MS to the progressive version so the family returned to Ohio and its familiar comforts.  Dianne continued her volunteer work in the community, working with the Centerville Schools and St. Leonard’s Care Facility among others, until her physical abilities began to wane.  She loved her church, becoming a Stephen Minister and facilitating Bible studies to deepen and strengthen her faith.  Not least, she volunteered at Elizabeth’s New Life Center supporting new moms. 

She loved to cook and bake, passing on those skills to her kids. Known for her sweet tooth, she enjoyed a daily Dr. Pepper, peanut butter M&Ms, brownies and dark chocolate.   

For her remaining years, Dianne carried on with her own unique ministry, unofficially dubbed “Friends of Dianne”, which brought together church-family and neighbors to build a network of physical, spiritual and social support.  As a regular mass attendee (up until Covid anyway) she inspired all those who knew her with her grace and faith.  In her last days, she especially enjoyed the company of her granddaughter Alma whose infectious joy brought a spark to her life.  For a woman with such an extreme condition, there were no complaints – her elegance in the face of a raging disease leaves an unquestionable legacy of perseverance and strength.

She is survived by her husband, Michael; sons Ryan Chanatry of Brooklyn, NY, Casey Chanatry, wife Jamie (Richards), and granddaughter Alma of Dayton, Ohio; sisters Elise (Osterud) and Jeff, Janet (LaFever) and Kevin, Renee (Hawkins) and Aubrey, Anita (Cruz) and Roel, Julie (Tisdale) and John; and brother Paul Vadeboncoeur and wife Gail.  There are many nieces, nephews and friends as well, who grew up with, and enjoyed the bright and engaging countenance of, our beloved Dianne. 

Funeral arrangements:  A visitation will be held Thursday, May 11, 2023, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Routsong Funeral Home – 81 N. Main St, Centerville, OH, followed by a Rosary.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 12, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at Church of the Incarnation, 7415 Far Hills Ave., Centerville, OH 45459.  Interment will be at Dayton National Cemetery at a date TBD. 

Please consider a donation in Dianne’s name to a charity of your choice – or consider supporting focused on Multiple Sclerosis.  The family thanks you for all your prayers and support at this time.

A memorial photo slide show for Dianne can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/H-Qg_Rj7HZk