Dianne Hillman

Dianne Marie Hillman, 73, of Thornton, Colorado, beloved wife of James Clea Hillman, passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday, January 19th, after a long battle with cancer.  Dianne was born November 25th, 1948 in Duluth, Minnesota. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Margaret (Harkness) McQuade and was the second of eight children. Dianne's father was a major in the US Air Force and the family lived in many different places throughout their childhood. She went to Narimasu High School in Tokyo, Japan, class of 1967. Dianne enjoyed being a high school cheerleader, prom queen, modeling and volunteering as a candy striper. In 1968 the family left Japan and moved to Colorado Springs, this is where Dianne met the love of her life, James Clea Hillman (Jim.) They married on August 16, 1969, just months after meeting and were married for 53 years. Jim and Dianne spent one year in Trina, California and moved back to Colorado in 1970. They lived in Northglenn for seven years then moved to Thornton and made Thornton their forever home. Together they raised two beautiful children, Chad and Nicole. Dianne worked at Adams 12 Five Star Schools from 1982-2013. She was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and mentor to many. She enjoyed many activities over the years with friends and family such as snow skiing, water skiing, camping and especially traveling. She traveled to Mexico, Hawaii, Ireland, Wales, England, Canada and Argentina.  She loved gardening and the beauty of the outdoors. Diane was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Howard McQuade, mother, Margaret Mary McQuade, and older brother Thomas William McQuade. Dianne is survived by her husband, James Clea Hillman, son, Chad Christopher Hillman and wife Lisa Marie, daughter, Nicole Hillman Gilhooley and husband Thomas Joseph, brother, Robert McQuade and wife Starla, sister, Peggy McQuade, brother, Michael McQuade and wife Patty, brother, James McQuade, sister, Mary Durban, brother, Scott McQuade and wife Linda; grandchildren Sean Patrick Gilhooly, Brooklyn Marie Gilhooly, James Thomas Gilhooly, Jakob Clea Hillman, Jayden Christopher Hillman and many nephews and nieces. Dianne will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Services will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11385 Grant Dr in Northglenn, on Monday January 31, at 11:00am. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Church. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Dianne's life may make a donation in her name to the American Cancer Society .http://www.cancer.org/