Diana ""Didi"" Hart Blayney

Diana Hart (Riley) Blayney was born September 18, 1939 in Morristown Tennessee to Diana Phipps and Lindsay Patterson Riley.

After residing briefly in Morristown Tennessee and Los Angeles California, the family relocated to Colorado. Following World War II, the family purchased and resided on a ranch in Douglas County Colorado at the base of Dawson’s Butte. Diana attended a one room elementary school and was escorted to and from the school bus every day by her pet pig which she was assigned to raise while participating in 4H. Diana attended The Kent School in Englewood Colorado, graduating with the Class of 1957.

Diana graduated from the University of Arizona, Tucson, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1962. After graduating from college, she moved to California where she met Roy Allen Blayney. They married in Colorado in May of 1964 and resided in Manchester, Missouri until they divorced in 1969. Diana and their only daughter Carrie, born in 1965, returned to Colorado. Diana resided in Aurora, living in the same residence for 40 years, until her passing.

In 1968 Diana became one of the earliest successful kidney donors in Denver. Her organ donation allowed her half uncle Henry Phipps to enjoy several more years of health. She accepted the opportunity to work for the transplant team under Dr. Thomas Starzl and became Secretary to the Chief of Surgery, Dr. Israel Penn at the Veterans Administration Hospital. She worked at JHB Imports before retiring.

Diana enjoyed many activities and hobbies over the years. She was a member of the Arapahoe County Hunt Club, enjoyed snow skiing, tennis, golf, cooking, book club, and her favorite pass-time, traveling the world. She most enjoyed meeting and developing relationships with people she met through her activities.

In Diana’s later years, she whole-heartedly committed herself to recovery from addiction and dependency. She relied on her innermost strength, a higher power, dedicated recovery professionals, and the love and support of her family and she was successful. She gave back to the recovery community by donating her time at the bookstore and gift shop in the facility where she was given the opportunity to regain her life. Once the bookstore closed, she once again traveled the world with her daughter, her daughter's family, and new found friends, making memories and sharing stories.

Diana passed away at her home in Aurora Colorado after a brief illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Diana Phipps Braden (mother), Lindsay Patterson Riley (father), Clay Keene (step-father), Donald D. Braden (step-father), John C. Keene (step-brother), Lawrence C. Phipps Jr and Gladys Hart Phipps (grandparents), and ""grand puppy"", Angus.

Diana is survived by her daughter Carrie Bernhardt (Randall) of Fort Morgan, CO., step-grandchildren Michael (Kristen) Bernhardt of Loveland, CO., Emily Bernhardt of Fort Morgan, CO., Alex Bernhardt of Wiggins, CO., step-great grandchildren Maya Bernhardt and Max Dardanes of Fort Morgan, CO., brother John D. Riley (Susie) of Santa Maria, CA., half-brother David C. Keene (Ellin) of Denver, CO., Step-Brother Donald Braden Jr of Denver, CO., and her very special cousin, Judene “Judy” Hendricks of Denver, CO.

A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 22, 2019 at 11:00 am.

 

THE HIGHLANDS RANCH MANSION

9950 E. Gateway Drive

Highlands Ranch, CO. 80126

 

For Directions: https://highlandsranchmansion.com/location-and-parking/

 

Luncheon will be served immediately following the Celebration of Life.

Please RSVP for the service and luncheon by Sunday July 14^th, 2019 to: ellinkeene1@gmail.com or 303-919-0565.

 

Memorial Donations in memory of Diana Hart Blayney can be made to:

www.5280highschool.org/donate to support kids in recovery.
5280 High School
Summit Program
Attn: Melissa Mouton
899 N. Broadway
Denver, CO. 80203

 

 

Celebration of Life: July 22, 2019 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Highlands Ranch Mansion
9950 E. Gateway Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

https://highlandsranchmansion.com/location-and-parking/