Monday, January 26, 2009

Recollections of a Farm Woman for 1-28-09

In Memoriam -- Diane Orr 1947-2008
Diane Sue Matheney was born April 13, 1947 to Harry and Juanita Matheney in Zanesville, OH. She had two sisters and a brother, two daughters and a stepdaughter, and seven grandchildren. Diane passed away November 24, 2008 in Tempe, AZ after a valiant fight with cancer.

Diane and her husband Bill were frequent visitors for several years to our area and made a host of friends in Worth and adjoining counties during the summer time of their visits. When fall was around the corner, they would reluctantly take leave of us but always vowed to return the following year.

When it was evident they couldn't make another trip this way, I took pictures of family, friends, and landmarks and sent them to her. This way, she could make a roadtrip to the Sheridan area any time she wanted.

All the cards that were sent to her on her birthday and other occasions were probably dogeared by the time of her passing as they were reread many times when she was having a bad day and needed a boost; she said they always helped.

Her husband was her rock as she referred to him to the end and was always quick to praise his efforts on her behalf every chance she got.

Diane was a sports fan. One friend especially who was a diehard Chiefs fan had an ongoing wager as she was the same where the Arizona Cardinals were concerned. At the end of the season, whoever's team had the worst season had to pay up. Her illness curtailed the wagers this past year. As you can see, she would have cleaned house.

It has been 45 years since this team has been in a Super Bowl -- Diane laughingly made another wager a couple of years ago. This was before any hint of her impending illness. "I will be dead and gone before they ever make it to the Super Bowl." Sadly, this came to pass.

Bill and Diane moved to Tempe, AZ in the fall of 1984 and were married January 26, 1985. After they retired, they started to make their trips to Missouri as her daughter Tammy Wilson lives east of Sheridan, and would also make side trips to Ohio while they were here. There is one less bright spot in this world now that she is no longer with us.

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