Diane Sandra McLaughlin

Diane was born on September 10, 1946, in Grand Junction, to Norris and Elaine (Dinan) Green. She spent her childhood in Dunton, Colorado, and Telluride, where she spent her summers at her grandmother’s hotel. Diane graduated from Central High School in Grand Junction in 1965. She attended Mesa State College and received a degree in Early Childhood Education. Throughout her life, she worked as a reading teacher, cosmetologist, and seamstress. She married Donald McLaughlin in 1967 in Grand Junction. They later divorced, and in 1983, she began a civil union with William Valdez, who sadly passed in 2012. Diane was a resident of Fruita for the last two years, having lived previously in Telluride, Dunton, and Salt Lake City.

Diane enjoyed sewing, quilting, and spending time with her family-especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also a member of the Eastern Star.

She is survived by her son, Chris McLaughlin of Grand Junction; daughters, Michelle (Bob) Snyder of Grand Junction, and Maria Eason of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren, Dinan (Jeremy) Sheffield of Grand Junction, John Michael Aragon of Utah, Robert Snyder III of Grand Junction, Autumn Payton of Clifton, Keane Snyder, and Brayleigh Snyder both, of Grand Junction; great-grandchildren, Bentley Snyder, Xander Sheffield, Oliver Seriani, and Addison Sheffield; sister in law, Terrie Green of Grand Junction; and niece, Felicia (Matt) Peeples of Grand Junction. She is preceded in death by her parents; her spouse, Bill; and brother, Mike Green.