By Amanda Nunn, Co-Leader Troop 1381

from left to right: Diane Pomper, her husband Sander, daughter Judith, and Lisa Jones in 2015.

Diane Pomper was a woman of quiet courage, advocate for young girls and women, infectious love, steadfast resilience, and teacher of many. Diane had a calmness all the days that I knew her. I did not say years, but days. The reason for this statement, Diane did not sway from who she was to impress or alter the outcome. She was Diane. And there is no other.

Diane and I met through Girl Scouts. She was active in Area 18 Council leadership, events, training, and troop events. Diane was a trainer and influenced me to begin a Girl Scout Junior troop when my daughter was bridging from Brownies to Juniors, and did not have a troop join. Diane said, “Amanda, you can start a troop”. I was hooked and followed Diane’s advice.

Our journey together in Girl Scouts was adventurous and exciting. Our troop, Troop #1381, loved Diane and her passion for taking on big events and causes. She helped the troop to sponsor and lead Camporees at Camp Graham and Camp Mary Atkinson. We hosted Cookie Kickoffs for several years. She inspired service activities in the community for Raleigh Rescue Mission, N. C. Food Bank, and service to local schools. Diane taught me how to inspire girls to plan, implement, and successfully achieve Bronze, Silver, and Gold projects.

A forever memory that I have of Diane and her husband Sander, they coordinated our troop’s first stay at the Treehouses at Camp Graham. The girls had not camped in such luxury before at a Girl Scout site. The weekend was filled with joy, kayaking, archery, and Girl Scout fun. Diane was at the center of all activities and shared her love with our troop.

Resilience again, when Diane was first diagnosed, she talked with our troop of how she may lose some function of her body. She was open, honest, and loving. This is the true Diane. The girls loved on her and welcomed her at each meeting. As Diane continued to come as she could, Sander or Judith would bring her and assist if needed. Diane was a woman of quiet courage that filled a room and inspired others to persevere.

Diane was my friend and my advisor in life and Girl Scouts. Diane was larger than life and her love was like mist in the air. It always landed on everyone. Diane lived the Girl Scout Promise, she did not need to speak it.

Diane Martin Pomper of Raleigh passed away on August 15, 2018. Diane’s Girl Scout story spans ten years as a girl member, one year in college, and nearly 30 years as a volunteer, donor, and parent to Judith, a Gold Award Girl Scout. A champion of girls to the end, Diane asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines, 6901 Pinecrest Road, Raleigh, NC 27613, or Kramer Family Endowment, C/O Temple Beth Or. You can read her full obituary online. She will be missed by all of her Girl Scout sisters.