Diane Lynn Esser

Diane Lynn (Cox) Esser, 50, of Wellington, Florida, earned her wings on December 8, 2012, after a valiant battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her loving husband, Bryan, and sons, Logan and Hayden. Diane was born on July 11, 1962, in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, to parents Jim and Barbara Cox. In 1985, Diane married her high school sweetheart, Bryan. The couple lived in Pompano Beach where their first child Logan was born. Later, they moved north to Wellington and were blessed by their second child, Hayden. Diane, as always, amazed family, friends, and even fellow breast cancer patients with her positive attitude, unfaltering faith, enthusiasm for life, optimistic outlook and fresh baked cookies during treatment. Diane blessed so many with her love and friendship. Her passion for pets was well known; from cockatoos to cats, she was able to embrace so many. As a baton twirler at Deerfield Beach High School, where she twirled fire batons in the Orange Bowl Parade to owner of Pet Set Boutique, a pet grooming business where she was able to share her love for pets and finally, to a Realtor at Integra Realty in Wellington, her passion always shined bright. She went above and beyond with her love of animals raising five puppies to work for the blind. A zoo is the only way to describe her home. The Esser family also includes three birds, three dogs, and a rescued cat that is deaf. Diane's love for animals made her the neighborhood's own Dr. Doolittle. If there was a lost dog, a bird that had fallen out of its nest, or an injured squirrel, they all ended up on her front porch. Breast cancer was definitely not a bump in the road for Diane; it was just an inconvenience. She handled it with grace and lots of laughter; never allowing the disease to define her. Diane was a cherished wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be greatly missed. She leaves behind her mother, Barbara Cox of Tallahassee, FL; her brother James Cox Jr. (and wife Laura) and her beloved niece Courtney of Tallahassee, FL; and various aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, James Cox Sr. A memorial service will be held at Christ Fellowship-South Campus (5312 Northlake Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418) on December 20 at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Diane L. Esser Memorial Foundation, Inc. to support victims of breast cancer, P.O. Box 16161, Tallahassee, FL 32317. The Esser family would like to thank our family and friends for their love, thoughts, and prayers and Dr. Elisabeth McKeen and her devoted staff for their meticulous care during Diane's illness.