Diane Anderson Norris, a Sedro-Woolley resident passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at the age of 48 years.
Diane was born July 26, 1961 in Sedro-Woolley to Don Anderson and Reva (Parker) Johnson. She was raised and attended school in Concrete and was surrounded by a close family throughout her life.
Diane shined from her very soul, she was a wonderful loving person that everyone wanted to be close to. She spent her life with a sense of pride in everything she did. It was never half way with her.
She married Don Hitt Jr and they had two beautiful daughters, Jenny and Rachel.
She was a dedicated employee for 17 years at Albert’s Red Apple; the produce department was a showcase year round due to her efforts. Later she worked at DSHS where she went above and beyond buying a coat, toy, or book for many little clients. She loved making everyone happy. If you ever needed advice on what to wear, how to fix your hair, or what comforter looked best, she was your go to girl.
Diane met and married the sweetheart of her life in Ron. They spent 13 years together traveling and creating many happy precious memories. She loved her home she shared with Ron and it showed in every corner of every room.
She loved her family with a passion and would go to any lengths for them. She enjoyed dancing with Jillian, making chocolate pancakes with Brandon. She loved hearing Ellie call her ‘Nannie” and enjoyed her visits with little Kali.
Even though her illness took so much from her, Diane shined from deep within. Her beautiful blue eyes were always a light to her wonderful soul.
Though Diane is away from us now, she will live on forever in the hearts of so many. She leaves behind so many happy, fulfilled memories and will not be forgotten. If by chance you do tend to forget, you can probably expect an early morning phone call !
With love to our beautiful sweetheart Diane, best mom, wife, daughter, grandma, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, and friend anyone could hope for.
Diane is survived by her husband “sweetheart” Ron Norris of Sedro-Woolley. Daughters, Jenny Guffie and her husband Josh of Birdsview and Rachel Rios of Sedro-Woolley. Mother and Dad Reva and Jim Johnson of Birdsview and Father and Mom Don and Daisy Anderson of Forks. Her sister, Debbie Thompsen and her husband Jeff of Mount Vernon, brothers, Donny Anderson and his wife Melissa of Sedro-Woolley and Eric Anderson and his wife Tisha of Forks and a sister Pam Aldridge and her husband Jackie of Birdsview. A son, John Norris of Mount Vernon and daughter, Sheree Norris of Chandler, AZ. Her mother-in-law, Margaret Norris of Clear Lake and her grandmother, Edna Wollen of Sedro-Woolley. A brother-in-law, Kenny Norris and his wife Dawn of Clear Lake, a sister-in-law and special friend, Ann White and her husband Mark of Mount Vernon, and a sister-in-law, Cathy Doughty and her husband Jim of Burlington. Her precious grandkids, Jillian, Brandon, Ellie, and Kali. Numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and special friends, Val Osborne and Veryle Hitt.
She was preceded in death by grandmothers, Otha Cook and Goldie Burch and a special cousin Cathy McMahan Hall.
The family would like to extend a special thanks for the care given to Diane by Dr. Raisch and staff at Island Hospital.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 1:00 PM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Bruce Martin of the Concrete Assembly of God Church officiating. Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with a fellowship to follow at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center. Visitation is available at Lemley Chapel.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Diane, though I have not seen her or her family in many years, I remember so many memories of walking home from school with her, and also attending birthday parties. She was always such a cheery little girl, and cute as a button, I see from her pictures she was just as pretty as an adult. I was a little late finding this out, but your family will certainly be in my prayers. Sheilah she looked a lot like you and your Mama, and Reva. I miss you to Sheilah and all the great times I had at your home, you had the best parents in the world, and I thought you had the neatest home life of anyone I knew. Take care, and I know God will be with you guys in the days to come.
Love always,
Joyce Queen Roper
please accept my condolences ,sorry about your loss.(rev.21:4)
lois.petty@yahoo.con
I am not quite sure what to say…words never seem to be quite good enough at times like this…they seem hollow some how…yet it’s all I have to give. I prayed a lot for Diane and was deeply saddened to hear she had gone. I received the news from my sister, Val, very shortly after she learned of Diane’s passing. Her text to me said…Diane is with God. My mind immediately went back to a visit I had with Diane when she was still fairly early in her battle with the disease. She was a trooper and had such strength. She was a very proud grandmother and fondly showed pictures of the grandchildren. She loved life and it showed! I didn’t know Diane as well as a lot of others, but I felt like I did. Mostly through Val…I would hear about lots and lots and lots of laughter and I heard of crying too. It was in the sharing of those times of life that Diane became an instrument of God…showing us how to be real, honest, vulnerable, and loving in the midst of extreme suffering. What an awesome lady! What an awesome friend! I am happy to have known her even for such a short while…
The pain is unbearable at times.We wonder how we will go on,but we do.You were so devoted to your family and friends.I miss all the phone calls.Sharing “soap stories”.We will watch out for the girls,not as good as you did of course.When I do something silly or say something inappropiate
I can still hear your”Mother”!Other times it was just”Mom”.At times you seemed older and wiser than me.Even as a little girl,you were the caretaker of old people and kids.You have earned your wings,my little Angel.And with your memories we will try to make you proud..we will be here for Ron,I know you would want that..Mom and Jim.
Goodbye dear friend and co-worker. We are all better for having known and worked with you. All of these postings are a testimony to an amazing life well lived. We will miss you but know you are free from suffering now.
Peace to your family.
I’m so very sorry and saddened for your loss. Diane was one of my very best friends from the time we ment in the fifth grade. She was more like a little sister to me. We would fight with each other one day and be best friends the next. We grew up together and became mothers together. Diane was one of the best mother I ever knew, she was always about her kids. Diane was a big presence with her beauty, sparkling blue eyes that smiled when she smiled, but she was modest about her beauty. Diane was full of passion and copassion, she lived her all to short life to the fullest and was the best at whatever she did. May we all follow her lead. In living her life to the fullest she left all of us with so much love and so many great memories that we will keep with us until she welcomes us home. She was the most beautiful angel here on earth and now each of you have your own personal angel in heaven. She is still with all of you, in your hearts and in your memories and there is a piece of her in each of you, hold on to that and hold on to each other durning these very hard time and throughtout your journey of life. She was very proud of you girls and your families. God Bless you all I’m so sorry for your loss of Diane . Whom many loved and many will miss. My love and prayers Debbi
Ron, Reva & family, We are so sorry for your loss. Diane will be missed by all who had the wonderful opportunity to know her. She was always a very beautiful person, inside and out! My heart breaks for your pain. Hold on to your memories, especially those that made you laugh. She would want that. Remember that she will always be with you because you each carry a part of her with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The 3 short contacts I had with Diane over the years revealed a beautiful, vivacious, caring young woman, but my real appreciation of her grew through the warm friendship that my daughter,Val enjoyed having with her. She was a special, kind, loyal, “I’ve got your back” kind of friend that everyone would like to have. She will be greatly missed.
Ron and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss, words cannot express. The time we spent together we will never forget. It ment so much that you came to the hospital when we were there with Dave’s dad.
Hopefully knowing that she is in God’s hands will bring some comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I was very sad to hear about Diane. Although it has been many years since I have seen her, I will always remember her smile and those gorgeous blue eyes. Diane and I went to school together and as young mothers Diane, myself and Sheilah were all neighbors. I do believe she had the cleanest house! That girl could clean!
My thoughts and prayers are with Diane’s family.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time and the days to come. I just pray that our Lord will hold you all in the palm of his hand and give you the comfort that only He can.I remember the sweet little girl I often babysat and the young teenager who babysat my girls. Love , Gaye (Anderson )Ashbach
The stories and tribute’s on this page are truly amazing, and give testimony to Diane’s wonderful light while here on earth; a light that will continue on in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers to all. -Rod
In the past three days as I have reminisced over all our lives as they have crossed since childhood, I have laughed, cried, and loved .
The Estes family deeply shares in your loss.
I have not seen you in awhile but I know you are in a much better place. I know the last time I saw you at Lorenzo’s you seemed so happy and as always had a smile on your face. I will miss seeing you around but I know you are in a better place and God is smiling at you now. Debbie, I know you will miss your sister and if there is anything I can do to make things easier please dont hesitate. I know how your feeling and I wish I could save you from the pain. Time will help.
I thought you would win again, and was shocked to here this! I didnt see you much after you left the store, but i always thought about you!
and I will keep thinking about you till I see you again!
Reva, I will miss Diane and her sweet smile, and those beautiful blue eyes, she was one of the sweetest girls I knew. Almost every fourth of July I would look around behind me somewhere watching the parade, and there Diane was smiling at me, She was so beautiful. So many prayers went up for Diane from Texas, I know God had a special place and thing for her to do there, perhaps to keep Grandma (Othie) and Cathy Hall company. They can catch up and not any of them have any more suffering. They will be in the arms of Jesus, being your angels looking down and being very near and dear to you everyday.
We will still be praying for confort, peace and God’s great love to comfort you and your family, her friends, children, grandchildren and Ron.
I can’t even began to think of the pain, but I’ve had great losses in my own life, but God needed her home to make a place for all of you.
Barb, Vanessa and Bernie Snell
I will miss Diane’s huge smile when we ran into each other. She brightened the room wherever she was, and she lived her life passionately! Gone too soon, but gone to a better place. May her Family find peace in the knowledge that they meant everything to her, and I pray they find comfort in God’s love and in their precious memories of her life here on earth.
Diane was a wonderful person and cousin. I babysat for Diane when Jenny was very small and spent many hours just hanging out with Diane when she was a very young mom. We are blessed to have such a special large family who watches over us all. No matter what Diane was experiencing she always had that beautiful smile. My heart and prayers go out to Ron and your family.
Diane you are a sweet girl. Although i have been away for many years me and my brother John have many fond memories of you! You are now in the arms of Jesus… in which he has special plans for you in heaven! God bless you and your family.
I can’t begin to tell you how much your already missed.
Because you were the person you were,along with everyone else I have many great memories of you.
We had so much fun working together & our private jokes,we had lots of laughs and always know you will never be forgotten.
much love, Leon and Jan
Diane hon u will be missed I will always remember the good times we had laughing at everything just to be laughing! I always was thankful when u babysit Rikki for me u had a story everyday u shared with me . I didnt know at the time they would b so important now! Luv u hon take care of everyone in Heaven!
I worked with Diane at DSHS for several years and will always remember her cheerful attitude and smile, her eyes sparkled and she was such a kind person. I sit next to her cousin Sheila and will not forget the ‘childhood’ stories I heard from Diane and Sheila and about the two of them. They shared and laughed over the times when they were growing up. She is now resting in the arms of Our Lord.
i will surely miss you. and you were a great co worker. it is just sad that youhad to go so quick, but i am glad that you had stopped in the office and you saw a few people. my deepest sympathy goes out to your family. you will br greatly missed. until we met again.
Since mom called to tell me, you’ve been in my thoughts. I’ve been back in my mind 35-40 years remembering the neighborhood, how all of us neighborhood kids always ended up somehow in our big front yard, playing baseball, football, tag, whatever. And you and I had some of the best ever young girl fights, but you were always there right across the street or right up the road. And then when you had Jenny & Rachel and lived in Hamilton, I babysat for you…. Oh how, you loved your kids….. We both moved and went our own ways, but everytime I came home and saw you at Albert’s you always had a smile on your face and a song in your voice. Rest in peace……you will be missed. Love, Connie
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Diane was such a wonderful person and friend!!! She always had a smile and her eyes always sparkled. Even when she was really sick she had sparkle and determination. You fought a long hard fight my friend and now it is time to rest. You are greatly missed and loved, but we will remember your beautifl smile and kindness. My heart goes out to Ron and all of the family, let me know if you just need to talk or anything at all, I am here for you!! God Bless you Diane may you rest in Peace in the arms of God’s Love, and Please give my beautiful Sylvia a hug from me!!! Love and miss you girl already!! Love, Melinda Reinstra
Diane was my co-woker at DSHS and she was always one of the sweetest people in the office. Diane cared about everyone and was always happy at her work and was a joy to be around. She will be missed by all her co-workers and all the customers that she served and the joy and caring she brought to them. Diane you will always be in my heart and prayers and looking forward to seeing you again in the here after with our father in heaven.
My thoughts and prayers go up for you and your family Dianne, I was so sad to hear you had passed yesterday,I absolutely loved running into you in Freddies whenever you were there. You always gave me hope that we were gonna beat this disease, you always had a big hug and smile for me and I loved you for that. God bless you Reba and all of the family and Im sending prayers that God helps you get through this tough time. Dianne will be missed by everyone who was blessed to know her.
my dear mother, lost is where im at without your presence, i love you and miss you like crazy! stay close to me as i go through life, i need you there. Brandon and I will forever keep you in our hearts and memories, until i see you again i will be lonely. love you momma…..
Diane is one of my precious nieces, and I’m so thankful to our close family that I have a heart full of beautiful memories of her to last me a lifetime. I loved her so much and I will miss her. She would stay with us just so she could help take care of my boys when they were small, she so loved being the little mama and was very good at it. Diane was a big presence in all of our lives, so much fun to be with, to laugh with. She was dramatic, exciteable, modest, enduring and funny. She always wanted to do things her way on her own, but if she got stuck she would be quick to call for “mom” or “dad” . She was our, “one of a kind.”
My sweet Diane, your journey continues to our heavenly home and I will see you there. Give mom and Cathy hugs from us. Love coming at cha, aunt Larki
I will miss you so much Diane. I am so sad that you had to go so soon. But you were needed in heaven for reasons only our lord knows. Until we meet again… all my love to you!