Dorothy Ann Dieni

Dorothy Ann Dieni, age 86, of Spokane Valley, Washington passed away peacefully from natural causes on September 5, 2018 at Sweet Valley Place Adult Care in the Spokane Valley. She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Leo A Dieni in October of 2007. Dorothy was born to John Stralovich and Mary Ann Smith on June 10, 1932 in Kellogg, Idaho and was an only child. She was raised by her father until he married Dorothea Bell. Dorothea was a wonderful mother to Dorothy. They relocated to Wyoming and eventually moved back to Kellogg. She graduated from Kellogg High School and worked as a bookkeeper at a local car dealership. She married her high school sweetheart, Leo Dieni in 1952 and lived in Kellogg until they had their first child, Denise and then moved to the Spokane Valley for better job opportunities. Their second child, Dennis, was born shortly after.

Dorothy worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for Empire Lincoln Mercury and Dishman Dodge, and finished out her work career at Pierone’s Men Store. She was very active in the Spokane Democratic Party, serving as a volunteer for many years as their secretary/treasurer, alongside her best friend and partner in crime, Sally Jackson.

She was an avid bowler and loved to go to the Casinos. She also loved to watch the Seattle Mariners and rarely missed a televised game. That was her team!!! After Leo retired, they went on many ocean cruises with Dad’s sister and brother in-law, JoAnn & Paul Knudsen and also traveled with their close friends. They traveled through the Panama Canal, went to Australia and New Zealand and to various places in Mexico and Canada. Dorothy loved to cook and although she was of Austrian decent, she learned to cook Italian from her mother-in-law. She made a mean homemade pasta and every year at Christmas made a myriad of cookies and candy for her family and friends to enjoy. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. All that knew her knew how she stood by her principals and was a very strong willed individual. A more loyal friend could not be found. She is now with the love of her life, Leo, which is all she desired towards the end of her life.

Mom we will miss you dearly, but we know you are dancing with Dad in Heaven!

Dorothy is survived by her two children, Denise Hesse (Greg), Dennis Dieni (Laura), Grandchildren, Lacey Peckham(Mark), Lauren Gilmore (Cameron), Cody Dieni (Danielle), Taylor Dieni and Great Grandchildren, Camden and Addison Gilmore, Reece and Mia Dieni, and Lana Dieni

A memorial service will be held Monday, September 17, 2018, at 10:00am at St. Joseph’s Chapel and Cemetery, 17825 E Trent Avenue, Spokane Valley, Washington. A celebration of life luncheon will follow at Thornhill Valley Funeral Home, 1400 S Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, Washington.