News Summary
Dianne Holmes Crow, a beloved Virginia Beach resident, passed away at 74. Remembered for her love of animals and vibrant spirit, she overcame health challenges throughout her life. Dianne leaves a legacy of resilience, joy, and a strong bond with her family and pets, inspiring those around her with her zest for life.
Virginia Beach Resident Dianne Holmes Crow Passes Away at 74, Remembered for Her Love of Animals and Vibrant Spirit
Dianne Holmes Crow, aged 74, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away on August 10, 2025. Crow was a lifelong resident of the area and is remembered for her vibrant spirit, her love for animals, and her tenacity in the face of health challenges.
Dianne was born into a large family as the third eldest of eight children to James Holmes, Sr. and Josephine Donaldson Holmes. She graduated from Ferguson High School in 1969, where her headstrong and defiant nature was already evident.
From a young age, Dianne exhibited a deep passion for dogs. A memorable anecdote from her childhood reveals that she threatened to “stare directly into the upcoming solar eclipse and go blind” if her parents did not agree to get her a dog. Throughout her life, Dianne adopted numerous dogs, often creating a home filled with love and furry companions. In addition to her love for animals, she was an avid plant enthusiast, frequently overshadowing her living space with an impressive collection of plants.
Health challenges were a significant part of Dianne’s life; at the age of 19, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, leading to numerous hospital visits throughout her adult life. Nevertheless, she lived her life to the fullest, enjoying activities such as horseback riding, sledding, and cherished camping trips to the Outer Banks with friends and family. These trips often included her joyfully singing Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like a Wheel album at the top of her lungs.
Dianne was preceded in death by her husband, John Crow, and her parents. She also lost several siblings, including Sharon “Sherry” Varacalli, Kevin Holmes, David Holmes, and Stephen Holmes. Dianne is survived by her two sons, Justin and Seth Ramirez, both of Newport News, Virginia, as well as her grandchild, Millia Ramirez of Virginia Beach, who fondly referred to her grandparents as “Mom and Pop.”
Additionally, Dianne is survived by her two sisters, Lorreen “Reene” Thon of McKinney, Texas, and JoAnne Wilson of Richmond, Virginia, along with her brother, James Holmes Jr. of Wilmington, North Carolina. Dianne’s family and many nieces and nephews will deeply miss her kind heart and goofy sense of humor.
A memorial service to honor Dianne’s life is planned for a later date, allowing family and friends to celebrate the lasting impact she made on their lives through her love, laughter, and affection for all creatures great and small.
Dianne Holmes Crow leaves behind a legacy of resilience, love, and joy, inspiring all who knew her with her vibrant spirit and dedication to her family and the animals she cherished.
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Additional Resources
- WYDaily: Dianne Holmes Crow, 74 of Virginia Beach
- Wikipedia: Obituary
- WYDaily: Donnie Hugh Holland, 87 of Newport News
- Google Search: Dianne Holmes Crow
- WYDaily: William “Bill” Samuel Bowery Sr., 86 of New Kent
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Obituary
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
