Dianne DuPont Sacks

FUNERAL SERVICE: A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Arlington Memorial Park. 

RECORDING: Please click here to watch the funeral service.

It is with profound sadness the family of Dianne DuPont Sacks announces her passing on August 21, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Dianne is predeceased by her parents, Martha (Lancashire) and Robert L. DuPont, and by her sister-in law, Sharon Michaels. She is survived by her soulmate and devoted husband of more than 40 years, Alan Sacks and her brothers, Dr. Herbert DuPont (Peggy) of Houston, Texas and Dr. Robert DuPont (Helen) of Chevy Chase, Maryland. She was a beloved aunt and great-aunt to Denise DuPont, Ph.D. (Jesús) of Dallas, Texas and their children Ana, Katie (Connor) and Pamela(Will) ; Dr. Andrew DuPont (Ashlee) of League City, Texas and their children Davis, Harrison, Samantha and Hadlee; Elizabeth Spencer (John) of Chevy Chase, Maryland and their children Dr. Robert Spencer (Kaitlyn) and David Spencer (Taylor); Dr. Caroline DuPont (Paul) of Chevy Chase, Maryland and their children, Colleen and Catherine; and Lindsey Michaels (Stacey) of Pittsford, N.Y. and their sons Evan, Mack and Reeve. She is also survived by her brother in-law Carl Davis of Pittsford N.Y.

Dianne attended the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and West Georgia University where she earned degrees in psychology and sociology. She devoted her entire career to helping children and families. Over 34 years with the state of Georgia, she advanced from caseworker to Chief of the quality control unit to the Director of the Troubled Children’s program, a role in which she worked tirelessly and was often called upon by the Attorney General’s Office as an expert witness. After 34 years of distinguished service, Dianne retired from her position with the state and began to receive offers to continue working. She worked in management at a residential treatment center for young people whose behaviors and symptoms have not been able to be managed at a lower level of care or in the community. Then she contracted back with the state to work on grants and then back to the Troubled Children’s program.

Thanks to her brother, Dr. Herbert DuPont’s evaluation of local physicians, Dianne had an extraordinary caring Dr. Susan Modesitt, who is the head of Gynecology and Oncology at Emory. Despite Dr. Modesitt’s many hats and being incredibly busy, gave Dianne her full attention and took a special interest in her. As a matter of fact, Dianne’s journey was featured in the Spring/Summer 2025 Winship magazine for cancer patients.

Dianne's personal qualities made her the beautiful person she was. She was always fashionably and impeccably dressed with a warm smile on her face and an abiding interest in her family and friends for whom she cared for deeply. She was always positive. She had a quiet internal strength that revealed itself time and time again. Her battle with cancer was fought with remarkable courage and determination allowing her to live far beyond expectations.

Dianne’s reliance on Alan to deal with logistical issues of life grew with their marriage although she was always involved with important decision-making. Theirs was one of the most synergistic and interdependent marriages family members had seen.

Dianne was a fantastic cook, an avid reader and an enthusiastic follower of politics. She loved staying active and could often be found taking classes and exercising at the local Y or running alongside Alan. Together, they completed the Peachtree Road Race 10k a dozen times and two half marathons. Curious and insightful, Dianne seemed to know something about everything and expressed herself with eloquence.

Dianne also gave generously of her time and resources. She and Alan were proud charter members of the World War II Museum and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Dianne volunteered at the Temple Shelter, the residential treatment program and while at the state ensured disadvantaged children received holiday gifts, and together they supported more than 15 charities, from animal rescue to Habitat to cancer research. Even when Dianne was going through treatments she and Alan did time studies for Dianne and worked on ways to improve care for cancer patients and encourage them to do study trials.

Dianne loved everyone and was loved by everyone in return. She and Alan shared many adventures traveling together including visiting family and friends and rooting for their beloved Ohio State Buckeyes, and creating memories they treasured. Dianne and Alan were inseparable. Dianne’s warmth, optimism and beauty-inside and out-lit up every room she entered. Despite enduring countless treatments and clinical trials, she never complained despite terrible side effects, facing each challenge with grace. Dianne remained hopeful and happy until the very end.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity or the Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Development Office, 762 Clifton Rd NE, Suite 2400, Atlanta, Ga 30322 or by calling 404-712-4483. Please specify the donation is for the Gynecological & Oncology fund.