Diane Skene

Diane Skene, (Stentz) was born May 10, 1944 in Kirkland, Washington to George and Florence Stentz. She was the third child in what would become a family of 8 children.

In the early years, there were a lot of lean times, but there was also an abundance of family and friends to share their love and laughter. From school dances to picnics and swimming at Cottage Lake, Diane grew to find fun and friendship in varied activities. And she carried her love of a good joke throughout her life.

She was an avid bowler and billiard player, who loved the time she spent playing in local leagues. She was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Redmond where she would get together with friends to listening to live music, dance and watch the Mariners or Seahawks games. She loved to go camping with family and traveling with friends. Some of her favorite places to travel were Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. As well as road trips to Reno with her sister Nancy and Lincoln Beach Oregon with friends.

Her first job at the age of 16 was at Burger Mart on Rosehill in Kirkland. She married at 17 and was soon blessed with her daughter Debbie. She divorced and at 19 re-married and 5 years later – was blessed again with a son Scott. After the end of her 2nd marriage, she started a new life and career path as an electrical inspector at Sundstrand Data Control. There she had the opportunity to work with her sister Doreen and later, her daughter Debbie and when they worked in the same building – would have lunch together almost every day…for fun she participated in Sundstrand’s rafting team and spent weekends in the summers racing against other companies’ teams on the Redmond slough and local rivers.

After many years of service, she left Sundstrand to work for Rockwell International in California as an inspection supervisor, and after a few years she returned to her native Kirkland to finish her career – retiring from Rockwell Renton in 2008 to enjoy time with her family, children, grandchildren. And in 2019 she was blessed with a great grandson.

Diane was a two time survivor of breast cancer, but in April of 2022 she was diagnosed with Small cell lung cancer. And although she fought valiantly – there is no cure.  During her battle, she made it a point to spend as much time as possible with her loved ones. She laughed, and shared memories of easier times. And left us all with good memories to carry with us into the future.

Diane is survived by her children; Debbie and Scott. Her siblings; William, Cathy, Doreen and Melvin. Her grandchildren; Leia and Kristin and family. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; George and Florence as well as her sisters; Linda, Nancy and Colleen and her niece Ellen.

A memorial is set for November 20th at 2:00 pm at the Redmond Eagles club, 11440 Avondale Rd NE.