December 25, 2023
December 25, 2023
I’m missing your touch in the Holiday decorations. And I forgot to water the tree. Merry Christmas, Darling.
Diana Fay Watkins was born on May 23rd, 1947 in Sacramento to Frank and Goldie Lasswell. She transitioned early morning August 4th, 2014 in her home, surrounded by family, after a brief journey with Stage IV Sarcoma. This journey was undertaken with the same grace and stubbornness she had all her life, and ended peacefully. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Jim, her sister Sharon Lea Wright, and her children, Zachary Watkins and Sarah Troedson.
She worked as a Librarian for the State of California, and also the Los Rios Community College district after her retirement. In 2007, she received her certificate from the Doll Artisan Guild as a Master of Doll Making. Family and friends will long remember her skill and artistry in recreating antique porcelain dolls and their clothing. An accomplished quilter and seamstress, Diana never hesitated to offer her skills to others. Her smile and laughter were infectious. Always fond of nature, she loved national parks and was a frequent visitor to Yosemite and the Asilomar State Beach and grounds. In her younger years, she was a climber who hiked both the Yosemite rim trail and to the top of Yosemite Falls.
Those who knew her are invited to share thoughts, memories, and kind words for the family.
If you wish to make a donation in her name, the family suggests any of the following:
* Sacramento Youth Symphony - http://sacramentoyouthsymphony.org/donate-volunteer/
* Crocker Art Museum - https://crockerartmuseum.org/join-give/give/make-a-donation#click-here-to-make-your-tribute-gift-now
* WEAVE, Inc. - https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=weave&id=1
The family is also considering having a seat named after Diana in the Music Circus Wells Fargo Pavilion. If you are interested in contributing to this effort, please contact the family directly.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
August 14, 2023
August 14, 2023
It's been a hard year, Dear One. I've had multiple medical problems, but more than that have missed you terribly since your birthday. Keep waking up, hoping to find you near me. Ah, No..
August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023
Diana...I think of you often, and always remember the good times we had with you and Jim. And your World Famous Chicken Broccoli Casserole. And your chocolate chip cookies. And your beautiful smile. Steve and I are in our 5th year here in Ione, and our life is pretty easy. At age 82, I'm still breathing and looking forward to a few more years on planet Earth. Lots of Love, Joyce
August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023
I Love and miss you….Always in my Heart
May 23, 2023
May 23, 2023
I am thinking of you on this day, aww Danner, your birthday brings memories of childhood…when we were raising our children…it’s Mule Days in Bishop, what fun times we had…I carry you in my heart and I miss you every. My Danner Fay, I love you and miss you so much.
May 23, 2023
May 23, 2023
Hi there mom. I'm thinking a lot about you lately. So much has happened in the past year or two. The divorce from Erin finally finalized. It's too bad you weren't here to be appropriately furious with her, but I know you would have had you been. For my birthday next month I'm going back to Yosemite for the first time since she & I got engaged there. I can only imagine what the waterfalls will be like this season after the winter we had. Dad's allowing me to take some of your ashes with me to scatter while I'm there. And I'm planning to hike to the top of Nevada Falls. You know I've never been. It's going to be great to see everything from the JMT coming down. Things at CRC have gotten a bit harder for reasons I know you'd appreciate. I keep looking for a permanent position & hope I find one sooner rather than later. Love you.
December 23, 2022
December 23, 2022
Oh these Christmas’ keep coming and I hold on to our beautiful memories of Christmas past. You are always in my heart.
December 22, 2022
December 22, 2022
There will be rest, and sure stars shining
Over the roof-tops crowned with snow,
A reign of rest, serene forgetting,
The music of stillness holy and low.
I will make this world of my devising
Out of a dream in my lonely mind.
I shall find the crystal of peace, – above me
Stars I shall find. ~ by Sarah Teasdale
Over the roof-tops crowned with snow,
A reign of rest, serene forgetting,
The music of stillness holy and low.
I will make this world of my devising
Out of a dream in my lonely mind.
I shall find the crystal of peace, – above me
Stars I shall find. ~ by Sarah Teasdale
August 6, 2022
August 6, 2022
Jack and I made Snickerdoodle s, they were lighter than air. Jack always says I love making Auntie’s cookies…I carry your smile with me always. Love and miss you every day.♥️8 years seems so long but then I hear your laugh in my laugh. And there you are Laughing at something you are still here in my heart❣️
May 24, 2022
May 24, 2022
Happy Birthday, Darling. I missed you today. A lot.
May 23, 2022
May 23, 2022
Diana, you were always so cheerful and positive. We sure could use some of your warmth and sunshine these days! Could you send some down to us when you get a chance? I'm thinking of you with love always.
May 23, 2022
May 23, 2022
I don’t remember how old I was when you taught me how to use a sewing machine. I do remember making the blue off-the-shoulder shirt and the blue striped skirt and the matching crop top that went under the blue shirt. I was so proud of making my own clothes! I was probably a couple years older than your granddaughter is. But I did start teaching her how to use the sewing machine last weekend and I thought of you the whole time. I love you and miss you.
December 24, 2021
December 24, 2021
"In one of the stars
I shall be living
In one of them
I shall be laughing
And so it will be
as if all the stars
were laughing
when you look
at the sky at night"
(Thank you Antoine for capturing Diana's spirit so perfectly!)
I shall be living
In one of them
I shall be laughing
And so it will be
as if all the stars
were laughing
when you look
at the sky at night"
(Thank you Antoine for capturing Diana's spirit so perfectly!)
December 23, 2021
December 23, 2021
Hi, Sweetie. Zachary and I put up a small tree and decorated it. There's a wreath on the wall along with your winter-scene wall hanging. Not to the nines, but a good job.
August 4, 2021
August 4, 2021
You left in August, Midsummer's turning
I see your sweet smile. I hear your laughter.
You're right here beside me all the way.
'Cause I know you by heart.
I see your sweet smile. I hear your laughter.
You're right here beside me all the way.
'Cause I know you by heart.
August 4, 2021
August 4, 2021
Ahh my Danner Fay,
Oh Sissy miss you so much. I still feel your vibrancy every time you come to mind mind. The memory of your smile still lights my way as I face this new challenge in my life. I wish you were here to keep me on the right path. But I know you are there in my heart, helping me along.
Oh Sissy miss you so much. I still feel your vibrancy every time you come to mind mind. The memory of your smile still lights my way as I face this new challenge in my life. I wish you were here to keep me on the right path. But I know you are there in my heart, helping me along.
August 4, 2021
August 4, 2021
Still miss you every day. Still feel like I need to call you and tell you things. Love you so much.
August 4, 2021
August 4, 2021
I am thinking of my friend today. I think of her so often and remember what a good friend she was to me. We shared so many good times and laughed always. Diana was so giving and always there to help and support everyone. She was a shining star. Miss you Diana.
Nancy Garrett
Nancy Garrett
December 23, 2020
December 23, 2020
Oh my memories are clear, but my heart is still aches, I wish I could keep my memories clear of heartache. Melissa misses you always making your sugar cookies ...love you, miss you everyday...especially at Christmas.❤️❤️❤️❤️
December 22, 2020
December 22, 2020
Happy Holidays, Dear. I hope you will send your loving spirit down to Sarah, Matt, and Micaela. And send some to Zachary & Erin. Please send some smiles my way, too.
As always, I treasure your visits.
Love, Jim
As always, I treasure your visits.
Love, Jim
September 1, 2020
September 1, 2020
I am so sorry Watkins family, I had no idea. I have memories of Diana in the library from way back. She also gave me my first “real” job as a student. She was a great boss and taught me a lot of things that I still do in my job today. She was a great lady, I’m sorry I wasn’t there to celebrate her life.
August 4, 2020
August 4, 2020
As usual, it's "hotter than the hinges of Hades' gates" here. Just back from helping our favorite daughter move ... and it was hot there, too. I still miss your bright smile and your calming voice. Please come visit again. ILY.
August 4, 2020
August 4, 2020
I remember all the times you and Jim were dieting. You'd say, "I'm not hungry, I just want that TASTE in my mouth!" I've used that phrase many times myself, but you two started it. And I think of you every time. Love, Joyce XO
August 4, 2020
August 4, 2020
I miss you momma.
August 3, 2020
August 3, 2020
August 4th 2020
Six years have come and gone...but your sisters heart still hurts...I don’t get to grow old with you. I think of you every day and wish you were here with our Granddaughters, and me. Sarah and Zachary are so special to me I try to treat them special.
I know you are near...I hear your laugh in mine. Your smile still lights up my life.Love you my Sissy
Six years have come and gone...but your sisters heart still hurts...I don’t get to grow old with you. I think of you every day and wish you were here with our Granddaughters, and me. Sarah and Zachary are so special to me I try to treat them special.
I know you are near...I hear your laugh in mine. Your smile still lights up my life.Love you my Sissy
May 23, 2020
May 23, 2020
On this day your Birthday I am filled with happy memories of our times together...trips, Mule Days, Christmas’, and many more, our years together fill my heart with loving memories, I wish in my heart you were here smiling at me as we would spend the day together, sharing love and family
May 22, 2020
May 22, 2020
Happy Birthday, Darling. I know it will be tomorrow, but I thought I'd give you the wish a day early ... just because it's Tuesday. ;-)
Love
Love
May 21, 2020
May 21, 2020
I went walking this morning, thinking of how you went walking most mornings I can remember. I’ve become a morning person, if you can believe it, and not just because your granddaughter wakes up by 7 every morning. There’s something amazing about how quiet everything is in the morning before everyone else is awake. And I can get so much done! I totally understand, now, how I could roll out of bed at 9am and be all surprised and awed that you’d already baked cookies, made macaroni salad, and washed a couple loads of laundry - on a weekend! Miss you so very much. Love you momma.
December 23, 2019
December 23, 2019
Christmas is here Sissy, remembering all the wonderful Christmas memories. I always seem to miss you more this time a year. I have a 7 1/2 foot tall tree this year really something...I wish you were here..But though my tears I see your Smile
December 23, 2019
December 23, 2019
Well, I did the decorations this year. A "Charlie Brown" tree with lots of lights and ornaments. (Jan helped me.) You so loved this holiday. I remember.
August 29, 2019
August 29, 2019
I'm so glad you're visiting me in dreams. I'm also confused. I know I can't go back, but I love you still.
August 5, 2019
August 5, 2019
I carry you in my heart.
Your smile and light carry me in my life.
Grief breaks though, even after five years, and I sob.
Grief joy light ... I carry you in my heart.
Your smile and light carry me in my life.
Grief breaks though, even after five years, and I sob.
Grief joy light ... I carry you in my heart.
August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
I miss you. I love you. I wish you were here to tell me the stories of when you were little, or when I was little. I think they’d make parenting Micaela easier, and maybe more fun. She’ll be 4.5 soon. I know if you were still here, she would be your joy and delight. You’d be proud of us, raising her to be a good human. I love you momma. Miss you.
August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
With sweet memories but still have hurting heart. Miss you my Danner
August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
Diana had such a sunny personality, and I felt that warmth whenever I was with her. Thank you, Diana, for all the chocolate chip cookies and those World Famous Chicken and Broccoli Casseroles. But mostly thank you for being in my life. Love always, Joyce
May 23, 2019
May 23, 2019
My Dear One, I cried this morning, smiling still remembering our adventures we had. It’s Mule Days, and I think of those happy times..oh I don’t know any reasoning...but I miss you...and your smile.
Happy Birthday my Sissy
Happy Birthday my Sissy
May 23, 2019
May 23, 2019
Micaela misses Annie. She died the same day as Grandma. But Micaela decided you’re giving her pets & skritches for us. Maybe over the rainbow bridge she can actually play with Mahler and J.
I feel like I was supposed to be making your birthday present the past couple days. I miss you so much. I still feel like you’re supposed to still be here. I love you.
I feel like I was supposed to be making your birthday present the past couple days. I miss you so much. I still feel like you’re supposed to still be here. I love you.
May 23, 2019
May 23, 2019
Happy Birthday, my sweet Diana. Still love you and miss you.
December 17, 2018
December 17, 2018
Well, Honey, Mom passed on Saturday. I'm sure you, Mark, and Dad have given her a wonderful welcome. Come visit me again, soon. I enjoy being with you.
August 4, 2018
August 4, 2018
My Danner Fay....I still miss you so much.....I miss so much...your Smile ...your Laugh....and everything you have missed makes my heart ache....Miceala is amazing....oh my heart still hurts...Sisters Forever
August 4, 2018
August 4, 2018
My world still feels kind of wrong without you. There are so many wonderful things that you’ve missed, that I haven’t been able to share with you. I love you so much.
May 23, 2018
May 23, 2018
Missing you on your birthday momma. Your grandaughter is even more talkative than I was, and is a delight.
December 26, 2017
December 26, 2017
Merry Christmas, DannerFay. ;-) I'm still not decorating anything, but I wrapped gifts. Jan and I watched Micaela, Matt & Sarah open gifts. Sarah, Jan, Micaela and I decorated cookies. For dinner, Matt made a wonderful lasagna. Miss you.
August 6, 2017
August 6, 2017
"February 2, 1968
In the darkness of the moon, in flying snow, in the dead of winter,
war spreading, families dying, the world in danger,
I walk the rocky hillside, sowing clover." ~ Wendell Berry
The memory of your smile still sows clover in my dark and dying places.
In the darkness of the moon, in flying snow, in the dead of winter,
war spreading, families dying, the world in danger,
I walk the rocky hillside, sowing clover." ~ Wendell Berry
The memory of your smile still sows clover in my dark and dying places.
August 4, 2017
August 4, 2017
You are loved and missed still. I take pride in your children and granddaughter. I see you in all of them. Oh Sissy, I cry. Then other times I hear your laugh in mine...So many things I want to share with...ask you something...but you are gone from me just like the rest of them. i will remember your Smile and laughter,wisdom,and caring always. Love you my Diana
August 3, 2017
August 3, 2017
Almost 3 years. Time does odd things as it passes. I somehow remembered the wrong day, thinking it was the 5th and not the 4th that you left us. The hole in my life where you were doesn't hurt any less for the memory of a number being wrong. I still miss you every day.
Micaela looks like you in a lot of ways. I still hope she has your laugh when she's older. 2.5 is such a challenging age, I wonder how you managed to get me through it with your sanity and patience and good humor intact.
I made 7 batches of strawberry jam this past weekend. Tried to figure out which berry farm you used to get your berries from. The jam came out good, except the first batch. I thought I remembered from last year, and I didn't read the instructions before starting. I could hear your voice in my head telling me to read the sheet that came with the sure jell to make sure the ratio of sugar to fruit hadn't changed, but I mixed up adding the pectin to the fruit & boiling before adding the sugar. That first batch didn't set. The other 6 did. I'm gonna try reheating the first batch and cooking it a little longer. No harm experimenting! But I wish you were here to watch and listen. Like when I did the happy dance for the jar tongs and wondered how you managed without them as long as you did.
Not a single day passes that I don't have some question or comment for you. I love you and miss you so much.
Micaela looks like you in a lot of ways. I still hope she has your laugh when she's older. 2.5 is such a challenging age, I wonder how you managed to get me through it with your sanity and patience and good humor intact.
I made 7 batches of strawberry jam this past weekend. Tried to figure out which berry farm you used to get your berries from. The jam came out good, except the first batch. I thought I remembered from last year, and I didn't read the instructions before starting. I could hear your voice in my head telling me to read the sheet that came with the sure jell to make sure the ratio of sugar to fruit hadn't changed, but I mixed up adding the pectin to the fruit & boiling before adding the sugar. That first batch didn't set. The other 6 did. I'm gonna try reheating the first batch and cooking it a little longer. No harm experimenting! But I wish you were here to watch and listen. Like when I did the happy dance for the jar tongs and wondered how you managed without them as long as you did.
Not a single day passes that I don't have some question or comment for you. I love you and miss you so much.
June 18, 2017
June 18, 2017
I love you and miss you. I woke up this morning with tears in my eyes.
We had a happy 50th distraction party with the kids: Lasagna and salad and strawberry shortcake. And a couple of board games. all good even if I did miss your cooking.
Jan loves our kids and is doing great job as a surrogate; Micaela calls her "Jam." We agree that she and her late husband Gil and you and I would have been great friends.
We had a happy 50th distraction party with the kids: Lasagna and salad and strawberry shortcake. And a couple of board games. all good even if I did miss your cooking.
Jan loves our kids and is doing great job as a surrogate; Micaela calls her "Jam." We agree that she and her late husband Gil and you and I would have been great friends.
May 23, 2017
May 23, 2017
Another Mother's Day passed that I didn't get to share with you. I miss you so much. All the stories you'd have of when I was little, how Micaela might be doing something just like I did, all the things I can't ask you about teeth and tantrums and potty training, all the joys I can't share with you about kisses and snuggles and spontaneous I-love-yous. I'm doing well, considering. We're raising her right and I know you'd be proud. She loves books and libraries already. I wish you could hear her say "Happy Birthday!" She hasn't broken any bones, even though I've watched her climb in and out of her crib when she's playing. She's going to be tall. She's already 36", or darn close. She'll probably pass us both up before she's 10. Happy 70th Birthday Momma. I love you.
May 23, 2017
May 23, 2017
Happy 70th birthday, darling. I miss you still. Keeping the place pretty clean and neat, but I wish you'd put away the laundry. (Sad smile.) Love you always. Do you still love me anyway?
February 22, 2017
February 22, 2017
I still love you, my darling Diana. I appreciate your visitations, especially in dreams where I get to see your smile and feel your caring and compassion.
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Recent Tributes
December 25, 2023
December 25, 2023
I’m missing your touch in the Holiday decorations. And I forgot to water the tree. Merry Christmas, Darling.
August 14, 2023
August 14, 2023
It's been a hard year, Dear One. I've had multiple medical problems, but more than that have missed you terribly since your birthday. Keep waking up, hoping to find you near me. Ah, No..
August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023
Diana...I think of you often, and always remember the good times we had with you and Jim. And your World Famous Chicken Broccoli Casserole. And your chocolate chip cookies. And your beautiful smile. Steve and I are in our 5th year here in Ione, and our life is pretty easy. At age 82, I'm still breathing and looking forward to a few more years on planet Earth. Lots of Love, Joyce
Gallery
Little Model for Uncle Don
Melissa loves you so and misses you everyday
6 years ago now. You made me the BEST dress. Love and miss you.
The Two Lasswell Girls
Diana_Dandelion1
Diana&Jim_2
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Recent stories
One visit with Diana
August 14, 2014
I met Diana (and her wonderful husband, Jim) only once. It was April and she came to see me for some of the side effects she was having from her treatments. What I most remember about that day was the love both she and her husband had for each other. Jim was so supportive, holding her hand, and it reminded me of my husband helping me trough a recent bout with cancer. I shared that with them. I could just tell from that one visit with Diana that she was s special lady with a special husband and family. I did feel compelled to call her later to check how she was doing - she just had that effect on people, I guess- from just one brief visit with her, I felt I knew her and Jim. To Jim and family, I send my deepest condolences and I still think of both of you! Your love and support of each other is really an inspiration to me. I will always remember her! With my deepest sympathies and fondest thoughts, Stacy Itagaki