Diane (Nanny) Hitt (née Umbaugh) was born Monday, September 3, 1934 in Marion, Ohio .
she died Friday, September 17, 2021. her recorded age was 87.
Diane “Nanny” Umbaugh Hitt passed away peacefully at home of natural causes on September 17, 2021, surrounded by her loving family, two weeks following her 87th birthday celebration. On September 3, 1934, the world became a better place when Diane was born to Frances and Harold Umbaugh in Marion, Ohio. She attended Marion Harding High School and The Ohio State University. While attending OSU, she met her future husband, William D. Hitt, who was an Assistant Psychology Professor. She chose to take his class because “he was cute.” They were happily married for over 40 years until his passing in 1998. Through the years Diane was very involved in volunteering for Worthington Schools and in the community. She held various officer positions with the PTA, was president of the Worthington High School Activity Club and was a founding member of the Worthington Community Coordinating Board. Diane lived in Worthington for 50 years. While she enjoyed traveling with her husband and their good friends Sue and Tom White, her favorite place in the world was her home on Southington Avenue in Riverlea. Diane attended her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, band concerts and activities for more than 50 years, most recently cheering on her grandson at an Ohio Dominican College soccer game. She was known for her quick wit and incredible sense of humor. Diane loved to garden, play bridge with friends, make holiday crafts and go to coffee and lunch with her friends. Special thanks to friends Clara Casey, Mary Anne Deaton, Mary Gault and Janet Hyde for their continued friendship and support for over 65 years! Extended family gatherings were always a highlight, with lots of great food, games (tire frisbee invented by Bill Hitt), family soccer and basketball competitions and the yearly Easter egg hunt and egg toss. Diane was very generous and took the extended family to Disney, Gatlinburg and yearly trips to Cedar Point. She enjoyed taking everyone out to Villa Nova every Monday night and other local restaurants for special occasions. When a friend once asked her what was the best thing she ever made for dinner, she quickly replied, “reservations.” Diane is preceded in death by her husband, William D. Hitt, as well as her brother, Richard E. Umbaugh. She is survived by a large and loving family including two siblings: Micki (Jerry) Lee and Tom (Geralyn) Umbaugh; four daughters: Jennifer (Bill) Best, Jodi Cooper, Julie (Jim) Szabo and Jill Hitt; 11 awesome, caring grandchildren and several of their spouses: Jackie (Brandon) Crowe, Brandon (Faith) Best, Brian (Alyssa) Bush, Taylor Bush, Riley Bush, Jessica Szabo, Jake (Tierney) Szabo, Jenna Szabo, Jaxson Szabo, Jaden Wiebell and Jace Wiebell; as well as two precious great-granddaughters, Flossie Best and Clara Crowe, who she was delighted to meet on her 87th birthday. Diane has a third great-grandchild coming in January 2022 and predicted it will be a boy! Numerous other relatives all over the country, as well as friends she has known for decades, will miss her greatly. Showing kindness and empathy toward others is the best way for all to honor Diane. Private burial service will be held on Friday, September 24th at Walnut Grove Cemetery. Celebration of Life will be held at Schoedinger’s in Worthington on Saturday, September 25th. Guests will be greeted from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., with the service at noon. Music will be provided by long-time family friend, David Tolley. The celebration will continue with a tailgate party at a Worthington area restaurant immediately following the service. All are welcome and the family encourages you to wear OSU gear in honor of Diane’s favorite team to the Memorial Service as well as the tailgate! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: https://www.worthingtonresourcepantry.org/donate