Diane Sewell McDermott

Diane was bold, vibrant and energetic, and impossible to capture with mere words. She was born and raised in Los Angeles where she received her early education at Ramona Convent and later attended iconic Hollywood High. After pursuing dance and modeling, she found her life calling in counseling psychology, working her way through undergraduate programs at University of San Francisco and finishing with her PhD from the University of Wisconsin. She moved her family to Kansas in 1972, where she spent more than 30 years teaching and counseling at the University of Kansas, also serving as chair of the Women’s Studies department. During her tenure at KU, she had numerous publications, including three books on hope.

Diane loved being a mom and a grandmother, she loved to travel, and she adored animals, including her beloved golden retrievers. She was very involved in her church and in numerous volunteer activities including serving on the board of the Kansas City Symphony Designers’ Showhouse and the board of the Johnson County Catholic Charities Food Pantry. While always looking to give back to others, Diane was also fiercely dedicated to friends and family. She lived life to the fullest, met challenges head on, learned as she went and helped others learn from her knowledge and experience, providing mentoring and counseling that continues to touch the lives of those who knew her.

Diane is survived by three sons, Ken Swenson (Eva Cicoria), Matt Kelley, and Ryon McDermott (Heidi); by two daughters, Elizabeth Wislar (Anthony) and Erin Mos (Stephen); and by five grandchildren, Danielle and Bree Swenson; Clare Wislar; and Morgan and Damon Mos.

The family wishes to thank the St. Lukes South ICU team for their dedicated and compassionate care, and friends Kathy Elson and Denise Snodell for their love and friendship and for always being there.

A visitation will be held between 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 31, 2012, at Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Church of the Nativity at 3800 West 119th Street, Leawood, Kansas 66209. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Nativity at the address below, or to KC Pet Project at KCpetproject.org.