Diane Frances Stone, wife of DL Capt. William Eugene “Gene” Stone

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Diane Frances Stone, wife of DL Capt. William Eugene “Gene” Stone

November 8, 1958 ~ July 13, 2023

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/spokesman/name/diane-stone-obituary?id=52583311&fhid=9521 

 

Diane STONE Obituary

Diane Frances Stone (Chapdelaine), age 64, of Cusick, Washington, passed away on July 13, 2023, after a brief battle with leukemia. Diane lived on the Pend Oreille River, where she and her husband of 44 years, William (Gene) Stone (born in Louisville, KY), settled just before retiring.

 

Diane was born on November 8, 1958, to parents William and Jacqueline Chapdelaine in Chicopee, Massachusetts. As a child, she enjoyed summer days at the beach in Rhode Island, camping, a myriad of outdoor activities, reading, bowling, and many gatherings of her large extended family. Even as a young child, charity and laughter were hallmark characteristics. She attended Mount Carmel for elementary school. At Holyoke Catholic High School she excelled in academics and athletics. She set her sights on the sky, earning an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy as a member of the first class of women. (Her mom had been in the first class of women at Boston College - tough ladies!)

 

At the Academy, while singing in the Cadet Catholic Choir, she met fellow choir member, Gene Stone. As their relationship grew, Diane ultimately decided to pass on the opportunity to serve in the Air Force, focusing instead on building a family with Gene. In June 1979, they married in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Granby, MA. As Gene served in the Air Force, they explored our country with assignments to Mississippi, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, and Washington State. Diane completed her BS degree in Electrical Engineering at Mississippi State University as she was expecting the first of their four children. Along came Frances followed by William, Beth, and Ellen. While Gene flew the world over, Diane used her cadet training to help squadron spouses cope with military life, deployments, and numerous other squadron issues. Her primary life's work was lovingly caring for her children and a menagerie of pets, including her beloved Border Terrier, Rocky.

 

An avid reader, Diane went to work in the Spokane Public Library system once the kids could fend for themselves. At SPL she enjoyed connecting people with resources and learning. She genuinely loved interactions with staff and customers alike.

 

Diane retired from the library in 2013. Gene retired from both the Air Force (1999) and Delta Airlines (2017). Together they shared an immense love of travel. They split time visiting family and the world at large on many cruises and RV adventures. Together they visited over 30 countries and 6 continents. They generously shared a life full of laughter, good food, family, friends, and love. Diane was a devoted "Mémére" to her 9 grandchildren.

 

As a lifelong Catholic, Diane cherished her faith and enjoyed serving the Church in various ways, including music ministry. She gave of her time and talent to her local Grange, where she loved socializing, quilting, and sewing (including many children's clothing items she crafted and donated). She often delighted family and friends with homemade gifts, including huckleberry jam and clothing, lovingly sewn.

 

Diane was preceded in death by her mother, Jackie Chapdelaine. She will be terribly missed by her husband William (Gene) Stone; father Bill Chapdelaine; siblings William Chapdelaine, Anne Chapdelaine, Lisanne Chapdelaine, and Andrea Tetreault; children Frances Liberto (David) of Charlotte, NC, William Stone (Joile Forral) of Mead, Beth Reamer (Michael) of Deer Park, and Ellen Addington (Jimmy) of Reardan; and grandchildren Teresa, Cyprian, Martin, Stephen, and John Paul Liberto, Ari Reamer, and Kinlee, Everett, and Logan Addington. Many others will miss her including the extended Chapdelaine and Stone families and her many cherished friends.

 

Services will be held at St Anthony Catholic Church in Newport, Washington, on August 10th at 11 am. A memorial fellowship will follow in the parish hall from noon until 4:30 PM. Come share your Diane stories with family and friends. The memorial will conclude with the rosary in the church at 4:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Calispel Pend Oreille County Grange, 10171 LeClerc Rd S, Newport, WA 99156.