Diane Ernest

SUDLERSVILLE, Md. - Diane Ernest of Sudlersville died Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at her home. She was 76.

Daughter of the late Rae and Nita Ahrens, Mrs. Ernest was born Sept. 7, 1930, in Kansas City, Mo.

As a young girl, she played cello in school and enjoyed ice skating.

Mrs. Ernest moved to Washington, D.C., and married the late Harry Everett Ernest Jr. on Aug. 18, 1951.

She worked for Nationwide Insurance in Annapolis, retiring after 21 years.

Mrs. Ernest enjoyed pinochle, crossword puzzles, crocheting and her dogs.

She is survived by one daughter, Janet Bowers of Sudlersville; two sons, Scott Ernest and his wife Patty of Edgewater, and Brad Ernest and his wife Shelly of Annapolis; one granddaughter, Melissa elKassis and her husband Pierre of Tysons Corner; four grandsons, Daniel Bowers and his wife Oriane of Dover, Del., Ahren Ernest of Annapolis, and Matthew Ernest and Brian Ernest, both of Edgewater; three great-grandchildren, Isabelle Bowers, Andrew Palmonka and Romin Bowers; one brother, Max Ahrens and his wife Carol of Indio, Calif.; and one sister-in-law, Doris Gordon of Bowie.

A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Friday in the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 370 W. Cypress St., Millington. Services will follow. Interment will be held in Sudlersville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Hospice of Queen Anne"s, 300 Del Rhodes Ave., Queenstown, MD 21658.