Dianne Elizabeth Timblin

Obituary For Dianne Elizabeth Timblin

Dianne Elizabeth Timblin, age 59, of Durham, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on September 13, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. A memorial service will be held on November 15, 2025, at 4 pm at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, with visitation with the family immediately following.

Born April 26, 1966, in Cheverly, Maryland, Dianne was the daughter of Stanley and Evelyn Timblin. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a BA in English, and went on to earn an MA in Literature from North Carolina State University, with specialization in fiction writing, and an MFA in Creative Writing, with specialization in poetry, from George Mason University.

Dianne enjoyed a distinguished career as a writer, editor, and educator, working across science, technology, policy, and the arts. She was most recently an editor at American Scientist magazine. For 20 years, she volunteered as an editorial consultant for the Forest History Society in Durham, NC, advising her husband Jamie on the society’s books and magazine. One of her proudest roles was her first, serving as copyeditor and writer for her father Stanley’s startup company, Tim-Tech Controls, a position she cherished because of her admiration for him and his vision.

A talented poet, Dianne published the chapbook A History of Fire (2013) and contributed to numerous literary journals. She taught literature, composition, and creative writing at George Mason University, Caldwell Community College, and North Carolina State University, inspiring students with her knowledge, passion, and dedication.

Through her poetry, essays, teaching, and editorial work, Dianne leaves behind a legacy of language that honors place, history, and imagination. She will be remembered for her intellectual gifts, of course, but even more for her generous spirit, kindness, and gentle, nurturing nature, and the radiant smile that lit every room she entered.

Dianne is survived by her husband of 26 years, James Lewis; her mother, Evelyn Timblin, of Greensboro; and her brother, Jeffrey Timblin (Sandra Case), and their two children, Kacie and Stanley, of Kingsport, TN; and many beloved aunts, nieces and nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Stanley Timblin, and her brother, Stephen Timblin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dianne’s memory to Duke Palliative Care, Duke Cancer Patient Support Program Fund, or DCI Breast Cancers Fund through www.gifts.duke.edu/dmaa. Her life and legacy are celebrated at www.diannetimblin.com.