Flourishing in a Season of Loss

Dianne Balch

We live in an anti-aging culture – subtle and not so subtle messages convince us aging is bad – do everything you can to hang on to youth. But no matter how hard we try, our bodies continue to age. Susan Hunt and Sharon Betters co-authored a book, Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture because we believe our Creator, God, promises we will flourish in our old age. At the end of each chapter, a woman at least 70 years of age tells her story of what flourishing in old age looks like for her.

In the book co-authored by Susan Hunt and Sharon Betters, Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture, each chapter ends with a story-teller who is at least seventy years old. Each woman gives the readers a glimpse into what aging with grace looks like for her. One of those storytellers is Dianne Balch. In a five-minute video for the companion series Aging with Grace, Ask an Older Woman, Dianne answered the question: 

What is the hardest challenge and the greatest benefit of aging?

Biography of Dianne Balch

Dianne Balch moved twenty-four times during her fifty-four year marriage to her beloved Dave. After Dave’s death in 2016, she downsized and moved four times during 2019, finally settling into her new home at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Dave was a lawyer in Indianapolis, while Dianne was active in organizations such as the Junior League, Symphony Society and DAR. When they entered Christian ministry in 1972 much of their work centered on the business and professional community. In New York City they co-founded Business & Professional Outreach, Intl. under the umbrella of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, after establishing Executive Ministries for 15 years with Campus Crusade for Christ. Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City started as a prayer group in the Balch’s apartment. Dianne served 3 years as a deaconess and served on the Women in the Church (WIC) ministry Council 7 years. 

For 35 years Dianne lectured at weekly women’s studies, using Community Bible Study and Precept Ministry materials and as well as other materials she wrote.  

Dianne has two children, six grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. When she isn’t busy mentoring and teaching, you might find Dianne painting in oil, pastels or water colors.

Dianne Balch - What is the hardest challenge and the greatest benefit of aging?

Go to agingwithgrace.online for more Ask an Older Woman videos and information about Aging with Grace - Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture.