Longtime Reston Resident Dianne Claire McGrath Lindsey, 83, Dies

RESTON, VA — Dianne Claire McGrath Lindsey of Reston passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Oct. 11, 2023, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Dianne was born in Christchurch, New Zealand on Oct. 3, 1940.

A strong-willed and athletic young lady working as a travel agent and helping her mother raise her younger siblings, at age 19 Dianne and a good friend left New Zealand to travel the world, touring Europe, India, Malaysia, Peru, and traveling through the Panama Canal to America.

After touring almost every state, they settled in Washington, D.C to earn money working on “Embassy Row.” Here Dianne worked in the Malaysian Embassy and almost married a Malaysian man named Osmond. However, it wasn’t to be.

Dianne’s hobby as a dancer in the “British Embassy Players” took her to many embassy parties where she met her husband, Roger Lindsey. Dianne became a United States Citizen in 1990 and enjoyed dual citizenship. She made sure her children had a strong bond with their Kiwi relatives, taking them to New Zealand often.

In addition to her career at Software AG and Sprint, she volunteered at numerous places, such as Wolf Trap National Park, where she was an usher for over 20 years. Dianne loved to play the piano and sing Christmas Carols and was always grateful when she produced a perfect Pavlova.

She deeply loved both America and New Zealand. She enjoyed the America’s Cup International Sailing Yacht Trophy Race, where she always rooted for New Zealand to bring the trophy “home.

Dianne adored her cat, Clinton, named after her favorite politician, the 42nd President of the United States of America. Despite her modest salary, Dianne was an avid supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the March of Dimes, and Disabled Veterans of America. Dianne loved her family and friends fiercely. She loved to laugh, and her Kiwi sense of humor drew people to her.

Dianne is preceded in death by her mother, Kathleen Mary (Maffey) Roberts; her father, Stanley George McGrath; her brother Terry and Lex McGrath; and her sister, Nolene.

Dianne is survived by her brother, Philip McGrath, and sister, Elizabeth Smith, of New Zealand; her daughter and son-in-law, Meredith and Gary Graves of Reston; her son and daughter-in-law, Alicia and Jay Lindsey of Fairfax; and her three grandchildren: Grace Lindsey Powell, James Richmond Lindsey, and Asher Key Lindsey.

Dianne will have her ashes spread over her home country of New Zealand, and also kept by her children. The family suggests any expressions of sympathy be in the form of a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.