08/16/2025
In Loving Memory of a Compassionate Spirit
Diane Gore Pour, age 53, of Wilmington, NC passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 29, 2025. She was born on October 30, 1971 in Wilmington, NC. She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda O’Steen Gore and her three Jack Russell Terriers, Oscar, Madison and Rocky. She is survived by her husband Rick Pour of Wilmington; her father JD Gore Jr of Wilmington; her brother JD Gore III and his wife Jennifer of Norfolk, VA; her nephews, Dexter Ellery Caralivanos of Elizabeth City, NC and James Wesley Gore of Myrtle Beach, SC; and one great-niece. Her two beloved Terrier mixes, Spike and Lucy, are also sadly missing her, as are a wide circle of friends who will forever cherish her memory.
A self-described “tree-hugging, animal-loving, tofu-munching, tattooed, liberal hippie freak”, Diane was a force of nature, always standing up for the voiceless and vulnerable, always possessing a strong sense of right and wrong. She was a passionate advocate for the ethical treatment of all creatures and was a vocal opponent of puppy mills, roadside zoos and circus animal acts. Her commitment was rooted in a deep love and respect for animals, and a belief that they deserve lives free from suffering and confinement.
In 1997, inspired by her love for her personal pets, whom she considered to be her children, Diane began volunteering for the New Hanover Humane Society. In 2002 she co-founded PawPrints Magazine, making it her life’s mission to find homes for shelter animals in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender Counties. As co-publisher and co-editor, she created monthly issues without fail for almost 25 years. Not only was she instrumental in helping thousands of animals find loving families, her unwavering dedication kept the plight of pet overpopulation squarely in the public eye for over two decades.
Diane will also be remembered as a tireless and passionate advocate for human rights and social justice. In 2017, she knitted and delivered a hundred pink hats to Women Organizing for Wilmington (WOW). These hats were handed out freely to women on the Metro who were headed to the Women’s March in Washington, DC. In 2018, she knitted brown, black, purple and rainbow hats for WOW to sell at the Baby Trump blimp tour in Wilmington. Enough hats were sold that WOW was able to help the Domestic Violence Shelter replace the roof of the women’s shelter, which had been destroyed by Hurricane Florence.
Beyond her remarkable advocacy, Diane embraced and enjoyed life, laughing easily and often. She was a curious person, often taking on new hobbies and challenges, and she was so much fun to be around. Family and friends will forever cherish memories of her singing along at Southern Culture and the Skids concerts, attending Broadway shows in New York City, hiking North Carolina’s mountain trails with her beloved dogs, and excitedly cheering on the Panthers during football season. She celebrated Halloween all year long and couldn’t wait to feel the chill in the air with Fall’s arrival. She loved documentaries, horror movies, observing nature, collecting dog beds, ramen noodles, vegan recipes, RuPaul’s Drag Race, the Friends TV show, art therapy, jigsaw puzzles, knitting and, most of all, cuddling with her dogs. She was a fantastic friend, always available in times of trouble, offering advice if needed, or simply just listening without judgement. She was deeply empathetic and had a knack for remembering the small details that mattered to others, making them feel seen and appreciated. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of family, friends, and many more whose lives she touched.
In remembrance of her devotion to both human and animal rights, donations in her honor can be made to The Trevor Project, www.thetrevorproject.org, or to Furever Friends Animal Rescue, PO Box 60, Leland, NC 28451.
May Diane’s positive impact on ourselves and our community always be remembered, and may she inspire continued efforts for a more just, kind and compassionate world.
