Diane Wood, 91

Noble Diane Josephine Burleigh Wood, 91, was born to Kerwood and Dorothy Sadlier Burleigh in 1932 in Eastern Montana. She was joined three years later by her sister, Jill. She grew up in Glendive, where many cherished friendships and memories were made. 

Her parents were very active in the community, setting the expectation of helping others. She was often recruited by her mother, a public health nurse, to accompany her on calls to help those in need. Losing her father at a young age also contributed to her sense of independence and responsibility. 

Dorothy, Jill, and Diane moved to Bozeman before her senior year of high school. After graduation, she attended Montana State University, studying business and enjoying college life with her sorority, Delta Gamma. One day while having a treat at Richardson’s with a friend, she met Barry Wood. The two married in 1952 at Holy Rosary Church in Bozeman, which was the beginning of a busy life ahead. 

There were moves to Glendive, Billings, Denver, Great Falls, and Kalispell. In each of these places, Diane quickly became involved in the local Catholic parish, where she contributed her time, talent, and treasure. In return, she was blessed with deep and supportive friendships with parishioners and priests alike. At St. Matthew’s in Kalispell, she most notably enjoyed her weekly cleaning of the church with her friend, Mary Chapman. Teaching RE classes, working the funeral luncheons, and providing food for Feeding the Flathead were also ways to serve that in turn brought her joy. 

Diane did all of this while raising six children. She handled the logistics and demands with her signature faith, patience, and humor. Having five sons did not intimidate her at all, rather, she embraced it with enthusiasm and joy. She recalls not having a hot meal for a few years, which she blamed on the youngest two being twins. The boys kept her busy with sporting events and occasional visits to the ER. She rarely raised her voice, preferring to just turn the vacuum on but not actually vacuum. Baking, needlepoint, gardening, and reading were favorite activities for those rare quiet moments. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kerwood and Dorothy; her husband of 59 years, Barry; her son, Stephen; her sister, Jill of Townsend; and many friends and other family members. 

She is survived by her sons, Brian of Whitefish, Craig (Karen, Christian) of Timnath, Colorado; Scott (Angela, Elizabeth, Courtney, Lexi) of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Mike (Teri, Randee, Chris, Corbin) of Kalispell; daughter, Mary Beth McRae (Sean, Olivia, Maisy, Henry) of Kalispell. She is also survived by Barry’s sister, Barb; and family of Aurora, Colorado; Jill’s family of Montana; and numerous much-loved nieces, nephews, and cherished friends, Charlene Wolfe and Mary Jane Taylor.

She passed peacefully on Jan. 3, 2024. 

A funeral Mass and luncheon will be held in the spring.