Diane Cecelia Niland

On July 5th at 7:03PM, Diane Cecelia Phelan was finally reunited with her son Shawn, brother Steve, and parents James and Dorothy Phelan, after passing at Desert View Hospital while surrounded by loved ones. Many have claimed that no two people are alike, and this could not be truer of Diane. She had a strikingly unique and adventurous soul, one that always stood proudly to support anyone in need. Born and toughened on the streets of Brooklyn on November 14th, 1944, the spirit and accent of New York never left her, no matter where she moved. Diane loved Italian food, being on the water, and tempting fate at casinos. However, she savored nothing more than simply being in a room filled with family. Her video poker luck escaped the casino twenty-seven years ago, at the Green Tree Inn bar, where she noticed an off-duty bartender, Patrick Kane, who noticed her. They caught glances, and the rest was history. Diane cared deeply for Pat, her significant other and spouse. Diane has always been known as the heart of the family, and she still beats on inside every one of us. We are all blessed for having known her, and even more blessed for all the rich moments we have shared with her – our own little “rebel.” Diane will be lovingly remembered by her spouse Patrick, brother Larry, sister in laws Patricia and Patricia, daughter Irene, son Danny, her grandchildren: Kelly, Neil, Ryan, Jason, Jacob, Jimmy, Robert, and Ashley and five great grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews.