Diane Kay Shipway

Bethel Island resident Diane Shipway passed away peacefully at her home after a battle against cancer. Born in Somers Point, N.J., she spent her youth on the East Coast. In 1971, she married Raymond Shipway, Sr. and after Ray’s discharge from the Navy, they moved to Bethel Island from New London, Conn.

Always active in the community, Diane was a founding member of the original Bethel Island Water Ski Club and organized the first Frozen Bun Run, which continues now under the direction of the Bethel Island Chamber of Commerce. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Bethel Island Community Park and was Bethel Island’s Citizen of the year in 2007. Her involvement in the community was vast, and she supported many local organizations.

When Diane first moved to Bethel Island, she worked for several years at the Marine Emporium. During her marriage to Ray Shipway, they operated Vessel Assist from 1987 to 1999. After the business was sold, she worked for Parker Diving Service as a salvage coordinator. She worked on several interesting jobs, most recently the cleanup in Santa Cruz Harbor after the tsunami, and the historic return of the Free China Junk to Taiwan.

Diane is survived by her sons, Raymond W. Shipway, Jr. and Michael J. Shipway of Bethel Island; her granddaughter, Kaitlin “K.T.” Shipway and her sister Claire Potter of Middleburg, Fla. She is also survived by an extended family and numerous friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kathleen Turnipseede and John Hunter, Jr., and her brother Bruce Hunter.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. in Scout Hall, 3090 Ranch Lane in Bethel Island. All family and friends are invited to come and remember an extraordinary woman and icon of the community.