Diane Gardner lost
the difficult battle against cancer at age 50.
Diane was born in
Clarksburg, West Virginia. She graduated from Rising Sun High
School in Maryland, class of 1972. She served 3 years in the
U.S. Navy as a medical corpsmen. Upon her discharge from the
Navy she moved from San Diego to the Northwest. Diane began her
singing and music career as a singing waitress as she worked
towards her B.A. at Portland State University. She graduated in
1985 with a degree in music and went on to obtain a masters
degree in music education which she completed in 1991, She
taught music, band, and choir in the Portland Public School
system. A deliberate career change led her to Beaverton Toyota
as she most recently worked as a FinanceManager.
She was a very
passionate and warm loving individual who enjoyed making people
smile with her funny stories and wonderful sense of humor.
Her zest for life
led her to experience the great outdoors including fishing,
camping, and cycling.
She was a great
champion for all animals and very much cherished her dog, Muska
and her cat, Maluse.
Survivors include
her mother and stepfather, Loretta and John Kissella; sister,
Debra Allard; brother, John Graham; stepsisters, Margaret Howe
and Janie Howe, stepbrother, John Kissella. Those who knew her
loved her. Diane's family and circle of close friends will
always hold her dear in their heads. She is loved and will be
remembered with with laughter and tears.
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