Dianne Hinds

Dianne was born on January 12, 1939, the third child of Herman Cliff Zentz and Bessie Delma Willoughby. She had a sister, Eleanor Elaine and a brother, Herman Cliff Jr., both deceased. They lived in the very small town of Goodwell, OK, 10 miles southwest of Guymon. Herman was mayor of the town for a few years, and Justice of the Peace for 20 years. Through her school years she was an excellent pianist, winning state-wide competitions. She married Allan Hinds on August 3, 1955, in Raton NM. They then moved to Stillwater, OK, where Allan studied forestry at OK State University and Dianne took care of their first two sons.

After graduation Allan joined the US Forest Service, and they spent the next 34 years at various ranger stations in New Mexico and Arizona. This included 9 years in Carlsbad, where three of their four sons, Kenneth, Keith, and Kirk, completed high school. The fourth son, Kyle, graduated in Sierra Vista, AZ. While living in Tijeras NM, Dianne was a Den Mother for the local Cub Scouts, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for many of the boys in the area. She continued this for many years in Carlsbad. Her home was always open to her children's friends.

Dianne was quite creative. Besides playing the piano, she also dabbled in painting and other art forms. One of her still life paintings was on display at their house for many years. She also was admired for her exceptional cross-stitching work. All her children and grandchildren have a treasured handmade Christmas Stocking made especially for them.

Dianne and Allan traveled extensively. They were especially proud of visiting all of the 50 states in the USA. How they got to the 50th state is a story. They commented to a friend that Delaware was the only state they had never been to. The friend volunteered to take them there, and she did! They visited Europe several times, including seven trips to England and three to Ireland. They also went on a cruise to Australia and New Zealand.

There will be a celebration of life honoring Dianne on Monday, November 24th, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., at the Paradise Hills United Methodist Church, 4700 Paradise Boulevard NW in Albuquerque. The church was an important part of Allan and Dianne's community, until their later years when age and illness took its toll on their ability to keep up those routines. Friends and members of the community who remember them are welcome to attend the service and the gathering afterward in the fellowship hall.