Diane Cecile Bemrose

It is with great sadness that the family of Diane Bemrose (Sasseen)

announces her passing on March 30, 2026. She was surrounded in love by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren before her passing.

Diane was born on April 4, 1944, to David Sasseen, Jr. and Mae Sasseen (Gibson) and was raised in Portland, Oregon alongside her younger siblings, David and Vicki. She graduated from David Douglas High School in 1962 and then attended Portland State College.

It was on the city bus to the college that she met the love of her life

Richard (Dick) Bemrose - even though they had lived only two blocks away from each other and he had graduated from the same high school two years before her. When Dick graduated from PSC, he joined the Air Force, and Diane left college and they began their life together on October 1, 1964. Military orders took them to California, Texas, Alabama, Ohio, England, and Washington, and Diane moved happily wherever he was sent, building a home wherever they landed. While stationed in San Bernardino,

California, their daughter Shelley was born. Later, while Dick was

stationed in Thailand, Diane - who had returned to Portland - their

daughter Debbie was born.

Their longest post was in Lakenheath, England, where Diane began

volunteering through the American Red Cross at the military hospital. It was also there that she discovered her love of running.

They spent their 10-year anniversary with a child-free trip to London to watch 5 plays in 6 days. They shared a lifelong love of the theater. Within a year of being stationed stateside in Tacoma, Washington, Dick left active duty and joined the Air Force Reserves. They then moved back to Oregon and settled in Gresham, where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Diane worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services as a Secretary for 15 years. The whole family became involved in soccer, and Diane played goalie on a women’s team, and played on a co-ed team with Dick. Together they were active members of the Oregon Road Runners, and were highly recognized volunteers within the club.

The early 1990’s brought new chapters in their life. They became empty-nesters, retired early, and began welcoming grandchildren. They remained active in their community and their church, and they traveled twice a year to Disneyland as Diane loved Mickey Mouse and everything Disney. Diane loved daily lunch dates with her husband, and was a voracious reader.

Diane and Dick went on to enjoy many years surrounded by their growing family, including their children, four grandchildren, and five (and almost six) great grandsons.

Diane is survived by her husband of 61 years, Richard (Dick); daughters Shelley (Kevin) and Debbie (Robert); grandchildren Jasmine (Gabriel), Ashley (Sebastian), Alaura (Katie), and Toren (Heather); great grandsons Casey, Micah, Orion, Richard, and Kane; and her brother David and sister, Vicki.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 9th at 2:00 pm at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, in Portland Oregon.

In lieu of flowers or cards, the family requests donations be made to Sno-Cap, a local charity that Diane cared about and supported for many years.