Diane Hill

Diane Hill, of Goodwater, passed away March 4th 2021. She was born Diane Maxine Parry on June 15th 1956 in Utah to Maxine Fay Peck-Cole and Don Parry. She was raised by her grandma Lola for years and liked to say that she was the way she was because she was raised by her elders.

If you asked Diane what she was, she would tell you she was a member of the human family religion and that her vocations were Herbalist and Artist. She was proud to be married to Harry Louis Hill, Choctaw dancer, WW2 veteran and POW. He was the center focal image in the Armed Forces mural that for years showcased the brick wall of the GI Surplus in Idabel. She was involved in several of the paintings in the county, including the interior of the American Legion building of Idabel. She was a big proponent of native American culture and people knowing who they came from. Many times she performed as a cultural storyteller for events. She was a dancer and dance instructor in her younger years and danced with her husband in many Choctaw events. They also for years hosted sweat lodge gatherings at their home.

She didn’t stop at Herbalist and Artist, though. With encouragement from her husband, she decided to attend college, graduating from EOSC with an Associate degree in 1987, followed by a Bachelor degree from SOSU in 1989. She worked in mental health counseling, particularly with crisis counseling for years and eventually completed her Master degree from SOSU in 1998 and then received her official LBP as a Licensed Behavioral Practitioner in 2002. She said after that she had enough letters following her name, having no desire to pursuit a doctorate at that point. She said she never wanted to pick up another book again. She dedicated her waking hours to helping others, in whatever faculty they needed. She felt called to serve. She particularly enjoyed serving veterans of the community and volunteered many hours to them.

Diane had many talents and was rarely doing nothing. She did intricate beadwork, leatherwork, sewing, gardening, drawing and painting. She loved animals and cared for many chickens, ducks, guineas, cats and dogs. She always tried to stay upbeat no matter what life threw at her and had a wicked sense of humor. She left many doctors and providers in gales of inappropriate laughter that they had to stifle before seeing other patients. Off to Olive Garden we’d go afterwards to drown the newest prognosis in profanity and chocolate. Diane will be sorely missed.

She joins in death her beloved husband Harry, who passed in 2004, as well as her mother, grandparents, uncle Gary and many more beloved spirits. She is in good company.

She says see you later (she hated goodbye) to those still living, including her only child, a son in Idaho, Hayden Horne, who is definitely the best looking, smartest and most talented son anyone could possibly hope for. He was the light in her life, particularly this last year – he was her reason for living. He gave her 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren (and one coming!). She adored her daughter (in-law) Angie who made her son an even better man and of course facilitated the grandkids. Diane has one sister, Brenda and husband James Vu who provided the best nieces and nephews possible, and her very loved Uncle Donny and Aunt Kathy (Cole) of Utah. There are many cousins and adored friends who will miss her until we see her again.

Diane was laid to rest next to her beloved Harry with a private ceremony on March 5, 2020.

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