Diana Coleman passed away Dec. 18 in her home outside Salem in the company of family following a nearly two-year battle with cancer. She celebrated her 61st birthday one week prior to her death.
Diana was the daughter of Julian and Basilia Ruiz, the fourth of the couple’s nine children. Born Dec. 11, 1952 in Carrizo Springs, Texas, Diana was raised in the farming community of St. Paul, Ore., where she attended high school and met her sweetheart, and later husband, Daniel Coleman.
Diana and Daniel married in 1973, settled near Salem and had three sons. A meticulous bookkeeper, Diana earned an associate’s degree in accounting at Chemeketa Community College during the early 1980s. She parlayed that education into 30 years as an accountant, office manager and, ultimately, vice president and general manager of Mt. Angel Telephone Company.
When not fishing, visiting the coast, shopping with her sisters or spending time with family, Diana was involved in many community activities and roles. She served as treasurer of the Silverton Health Foundation Board of Directors, was a member of the Mt. Angel Lions Club and Sacred Heart Altar Society, and was part of the Oregon Telephone Association high school scholarship and accounting committees.
Diana is survived by her husband, Daniel, her sons Craig, Cory and Casey, a grandchild on-the-way, her daughters-in-law, Casey Amber and Heidi, Diana’s parents and eight tight-knit brothers and sisters, many in-laws, relatives and countless friends.
A Dec. 23 funeral service for Diana will start at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 20217 Christie Street, St. Paul. Simon-Cornwell Colonial Chapel is handling arrangements. Donations in Diana’s name can be made to the Providence Benedictine Child Development Center in Mt. Angel, Sacred Heart Parish in Gervais or the American Cancer Society.