Diane Carter Palochko

Diane Carter Palochko, 77, of McKeesport, passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2021. She was born October 14, 1943 in McKeesport and was the daughter of the late Herbert and Lois (Phillips) Knight. Diane was a McKeesport High School graduate, class of 1961, and later on became a part of the McKeesport School District Centennial School and retired from being a kitchen manager in the cafeteria. For 60 years, Diane was a devoted wife and mother, always putting others needs before her own. Diane loved to host holiday get together's so she could bring her family all together again. Her husband, Bud, even admitted that her homemade sauce was more delicious than his Italian grandma's. It was a staple in our family. When Diane was well, she looked forward to spending summers in the Laurel Mountains at their private camp with Bud's friends, visiting antique and craft shops, and taking rides through the woods on their quads. She was her children's biggest cheerleader. Supporting them through every new life adventure. For more than 20 years, she endured the daily inconvenience of numerous illnesses including multiple skin cancer surgeries, 8 abdominal surgeries, some due to Chrohn's disease and the most devastating which had recently taken her life, severe COPD bronchitis. No matter how ill, she never had a complaint about it. She always searched for the brighter side of everything. Diane is survived by her husband of 60 years, Albert "Bud" Palochko, sons, Brian (Dawn) Palochko of McKeesport, and Dean (Stephanie) Palochko of Versailles Boro, daughter, Dana (Allan) Sandmeyer of Liberty Boro, grandchildren, Brian Carrillo, Jason, and Kalyn Sandmeyer, Nicholas, Dylan, and Ashley Palochko, great-grandchildren, Natalya Fiegans, and Bella Carrillo, sister, Bette (Knight) McDonald of Mt. Pleasant, and brother, H. Bruce Knight of Moorseville, NC. Diane never wanted to be the center of attention, so she will be honored with a small memorial service. Friends are welcome, Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 2-4 pm at the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 6028 Smithfield Street, Elizabeth Township. (412) 751-5000 Drew J. Gilbert, director. Service will immediately follow at 4:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Friends wishing to honor Diane are invited to make a memorial contribution in her name to the American Lung Association (412) 430-3062. Condolences may be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com