NATIONAL CROQUET MUSEUM

Diane Blow was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and was educated at Westover School in Middlebury, CT, and Briarcliff Junior College in Briarcliff Manor, NY. She married in 1955, has 5 children and 10 grandchildren. Although croquet has been a big part of her life, she is most proud of her 3 daughters and 2 sons that she raised in New York City and Greenwich, CT.

Diane was trained at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City by the American Red Cross to be a nurse's aid and worked for many years at Lenox Hill Hospital. After moving to Greenwich, Diane volunteered at Greenwich Hospital. She serves on the Altar Guild at Christ Church Greenwich, and is on the Women's Auxiliary at Lenox Hill.

In 1997, the Blows bought a winter home in Boca Raton to be near Diane's brother and croquet with Chuck Steuber whom they knew from Greenwich. It was then that she was told of Chuck's plan to buy land and build the NCC. He told her that if 10 people would give $100,000 each, things could start to move and would go from there. So, she did contribute $100,000, and donated the Trophy Hall in her mother, Suzie Linden's memory, who died in 1996.

In 1957, Suzie Linden, started the Green Gables Croquet Club in Spring Lake, NJ. This was the first organized club of the USCA. Diane started her croquet career when called upon to "keep the board." She was "hooked!" In the '80s, Diane and her husband, Michael, joined Greenwich Croquet Club, went to schools at PGA and Newport, and began going to tournaments.

Now, back to Florida… Funds were still needed for the completion of the NCC. Diane donated money for the building of the Pro Shop, and for the draperies that were needed for the upstairs ballroom. Obviously, helping the Croquet Center "make it" is something she feels is extremely important for all of us who love the sport of croquet. She feels that every year that the NCC keeps going, the stronger it becomes. So, that is why she agreed to be the "Angel" of the five-year mortgage plan when approached several years ago.

Diane has served since 1998 on the CFA Board, and has chaired the Nominating Committee for 6 years. She has served on the Greenwich Croquet Club board, and has run several tournaments there. At Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, she serves as Secretary/Treasurer and co-chairs their Invitational. Diane has represented the N.E. Region on the USCA Nominating Committee.

When not playing croquet, Diane enjoys tennis, gardening, and competing in flower shows, and has won many blue ribbons.

Diane and her late husband, Michael, traveled to and played in numerous croquet tournaments over the years, and have brought home many trophies from their play.

Diane Blow feels honored to be inducted into the Croquet Hall of Fame, and is proud to be joining her late mother, Susie Linden, who was inducted in 1980.

Diane Blow was inducted into the United States Croquet Hall of Fame in 2008.