Diane Lanigan

As a child growing up on a farm in rural Stafford, Kansas, Diane attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse. She was baptized in the Stafford Christian Church, a member of 4-H, and a graduate of Stafford High School. After graduating, she was excited to attend Kansas State University and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta. It is there that she met her husband Richard who was stationed at Fort Riley. After graduating with a BA in Horticulture, the couple moved to Los Angeles, CA and later moved to Arlington Heights, IL where they continued to raise their family. Later divorcing, Diane returned to school while also working and earned a Master's Degree in Special Education from Northeastern University.

Diane loved architecture and gardening! She was a member of the second-ever Chicago Architecture Center docent class of 1972. Diane was honored in 2012 for 40 years of service and later received Emeritus status. In 2001, she received the Outstanding Docent Award, in recognition of her exceptional contributions and long-standing commitment to the CAC mission. After retiring from teaching, in addition to volunteering as a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center, she worked at Graceland Cemetery until the age of 84 yrs.

Over many years she was also a member of many organizations such as the Arlington Heights Historical Society, Arlington Heights Garden Club, and Questers. Most recently she served as an Ambassador at Church Creek Senior Living and participated in the RATs Radio Acting Troupe. She was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Arlington Heights for over 60 years where she served as a Trustee and member of the Building and Grounds Committee, and initiated garden plots for members and community. She joined the Church of Incarnation United Methodist Church on April 20, 2025.

She loved her family, friends, and cat Lucy very much! She also loved working in her garden, live jazz, watching football, and just loved to laugh and have fun! The family would like to thank local restaurants Eddie’s Restaurant and Lounge, and TNT Snack Shop who always welcomed her visits.

Diane was a loving mother and cherished grandmother. She is survived by son, James Lanigan and daughter, Rachel (Wayne) Hogreve; Grandchildren: Magan (Tito) Reyes, Michelle (Drew) Westall-Lanigan, Baron (Charlotte) Medenwald, Isis Lanigan, Danae (Michael) Beimford, Eric (Ana) Haug, Ryan Haug (fiancé MaryGrace Mayotte), and David Fernquist (fiancé Alexis Genous); ten great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and her cousin Barbara (Clayton) Grimmett. Diane was preceded in death by her son Gregory Wood Lanigan and daughter Sarah Ellen Haug; her parents; and sister Nancy. She is also survived by many wonderful friends and her cat Lucy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.

The Funeral will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation beginning 9:30 a.m. at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. The service will be livestreamed, you can watch via this link: https://www.asimplestreaming.com/dlanigan/

Burial to follow,1:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery, 4001 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60613.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to CAC(Chicago Architecture Center), Glessner House, or Church of the Incarnation by visiting giving.coium.org