Evelyn Diane Leahy died on Nov. 9, 2021 at her home in Medford in the loving presence of her four children.
She was born on April 20, 1953 in Pendleton.
Diane, the daughter of Ronald and Evelyn Black, spent her formative years in Boardman. She graduated from Riverside High School as valedictorian in 1971 and went on to Eastern Oregon College, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education, magna cum laude. In 1978, Diane started working at Bechtel, where she met James Leahy. They got married in 1979 and shared a life rich in love, family, and travel until his passing in 2018.
Diane had a deep fondness for the open skies of Eastern Oregon, yet lived in many places: Oregon, Montana, Oregon, California, England, back to California, Oregon again, Maryland, California yet again, and back to Oregon. Her sense of adventure took her to all corners of the earth. Her favorite spots included the Amalfi Coast, Malta, Jamaica, Ireland, and Portugal.
She was a consummate host who brought music, dancing and laughter into all of her homes. Diane had an uncanny ability to make others feel understood and accepted. As a result, she created community everywhere she went. Diane’s kindness will be her legacy. A natural-born teacher, she imbued her children with strong morals and a sense of independence. They are forever grateful.
Diane is survived by her children, Andrew, Alexandra, Allison and Amanda; and grandchildren, Iris, Cooper, Nathaniel, Robert Alden, and Julian Avery.
Her funeral was held at Riverview Cemetery in Boardman on Sunday, Nov. 14.
A celebration of life will take place in Medford on Wednesday, Nov. 17.
Please share memories of Diane with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
