Our dear mother Diane “Gibbs” Gaughan sadly passed away on August 30th, 2024, at the age xof 86 after a brief struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her the most, offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance.
Diane grew up in the town of Stanley Wisconsin in the 1940’s and 50’s with her Parents Roy and Helen Gibbs and her beloved sisters Marge, Lora and Joan. During her time in Stanley, she was often called upon by family and friends to sing at local weddings, play the piano for the church services and on Christmas Eve many of the Stanley townspeople would wait to attend the local Church until they found out which service Diane would be singing “Oh Holy Night.” That service was always full
After High School Diane left for school in Washington, DC and after completion was married in 1960 to Thomas Gaughan in Saint Paul Minnesota. The couple had three children, Thomas in 1961, John in 1962 and Tracy in 1965. The family lived in multiple homes in the Saint Paul area over the years and frequently visited and made several pleasant memories with Diane’s parents Roy and Helen Gibbs and many cousins and family members.
The family then moved to Brainerd Minnesota, where Diane kept in touch with her music by joining a local Barbershop Quartet that competed regularly at local and national events. She loved her music but also loved her children and never missed a game, meet or concert that her children were involved in. She was a super fan of her children, and she enjoyed watching them play High School and College sports, singing at concerts, good report cards and the success they had in life.
In 1981, after a family change and her children’s graduations, Diane became interested in leaving the Minnesota winters behind and enjoying the climates of Arizona, California and Colorado. Diane lived the next 44 years in the sunshine and where she explored a different lifestyle, made many new friends and enjoyed the spectacle of nature many times. She was a person who explored life and met its challenges head on and without fear. She taught us all to walk toward the mountain and never run away.
Diane spent the last three years of her life in Canyon Valley memory care in Green Valley Arizona where she was adored by the staff, many of which were there when she passed away. I mention this because it was just like my mom to make friends when facing her life’s biggest challenge.
Diane is survived by her 3 children Tom Gaughan (Park Rapids, MN), John (Evergreen, Colorado) and Tracy Gaughan-Willprecht (Saurita, AZ), her 8 grandchildren Steven Gaughan (Golden Valley MN, Joshua Gaughan (Buffalo,MN), Brianna (Plymouth,MN), Thomas Gaughan (Minneapolis, MN), John Gaughan JR (Mound MN), Ryan Gaughan (Buffalo,MN), Savannah Gaughan (Eau Claire), Daniel Gaughan (Carissa) (Park Rapids, MN) and her 3 great grandchildren, Cailyn, Caiden and Colette (Park Rapids, MN) she is also survived by 2 sisters Lora Overguard (Stanley, Wisc), Joan Swigert (Green Bay, Wisc) and much family in Minnesota and Wisconsin Diane was proceeded in death by her beloved sister Majorie Qualle.
In the end, Diane made the decision the donate her body to science with the hope of having a positive impact on future of those stricken with the ugliness of Parkinson’s disease.
For those who knew her, the family asks that you choose to light a candle in remembrance of her life.
