Virginia Beach - Diane Hendricks, 105, of the 5000 block of Campus Drive departed this life on Friday, December 26, 2014.

A native of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, she was one of 10+ sisters and brothers. Life in Tortola was not easy for such a large family so they relocated to St. Thomas, United States, Virgin Islands. Diane lived in St. Thomas for several years until she felt the need for change.

Diane left St. Thomas as a very young woman. She took a boat to Fajaldo, Puerto Rico, where she lived for several years as well. Diane taught herself to speak Spanish in order to live comfortably in the community. She took several domestic jobs, always striving upward on onward. She mastered the technique of Spanish cooking (prepared the best Pasteles) and she was a master seamstress. Her ability to adapt to innumerable circumstances was her greatest asset.
In 1940, Diane relocated to New York City on the island of Manhattan. She procured employment with Schultz & Swartz Shoulder Pad Company, constructing shoulder pads for the military. She was employed there for 30 years after which she retired from the job market. In 1943 she met Herbert Brooks, a Merchant Marine, from this union their only child Joanne was born.

Her years in New York City (the "City The Never Sleeps") brought many new challenges. Again, she was not prepared, but she was more than ready and willing. She joined Our Saviour Lutheran Church which kept her strong in her faith in God. God was Diane's constant. She prayed every night before going to sleep and when she woke she praised God for waking her.

After many years in New York City and New York State, Diane went back home to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, but she always said, "St. Thomas is too small for me." So when the opportunity arose, she left and relocated with her grandson to San Diego, California. As he was in the military she had the opportunity to live in several other states.

As Diane approached her 102nd birthday, it became necessary for her granddaughter to take over her care in Virginia Beach, Virginia. At approximately 4:00 a.m. on December 26, 2014, at the age of 105, Diane moved to her heavenly home. She was predeceased by siblings, Ruth and Mary. She is survived by her daughter: Joanne Frett-Hansby, five grandchildren: Jacqueline E. Broughton, Purvis A. Broughton, Duncan N. Broughton, Monica E. Broughton and Kadesha M. Frett, eight great grandchildren: Sean Broughton, Sade Broughton, Brett Broughton, Gabriel Broughton, Trinity Kennings, Ises Kennings, Kamari White and Ne'Veah Bailey.

A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake.