Obituary for Diane Marie Wade

Diane Marie Wade, born January 15, 1956, to Kenneth and Ruby DeVries in the Tri-Cities, Washington, passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2026, in Umatilla, Oregon.

Diane was a proud graduate of Kamiakin High School and built a long and dedicated career as a bookkeeper for Sun Pacific Energy. Later in life, she found a deeper calling working with the elderly at Life Care in Kennewick, where her natural compassion and warmth created meaningful relationships and lasting friendships that extended far beyond her time there.

On April 11, 1987, Diane married the love of her life, Steve Wade, in Reno, Nevada. Together, they built a life centered around love, family, and unwavering support for one another.

To know Diane was to love her. She was a fierce and extraordinary woman—strong in every sense, yet full of a deep, unwavering love that touched everyone she met. She had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and cared for. Whether you knew her for two minutes or twenty years, she made you feel like family.

Above all, Diane was a devoted mother to her two boys, Ryan and Kenny Wade, who were the center of her world. There was nothing she wouldn't do for them—she would have moved mountains without hesitation. Despite working full time, she never missed a moment that mattered: every school drop-off, every bus pickup, every dinner, every game, every race, every milestone. She raised her boys to believe that anything was possible, simply because she never stopped believing in them.

Her love extended deeply to her husband Steve, her two grandchildren Ivvy and Otto Wade, and even her beloved grand dogs, Dax and Cami. After her time at Life Care, Diane fully embraced her most cherished role—becoming a "professional grandma," spending her days caring for her grandchildren and grand dogs, pouring into them the same love and attention she gave so freely throughout her life.

She also shared a special bond with her brother, Rick DeVries, his wife Joyce DeVries, a connection rooted in a lifetime of shared memories and family. That same depth of love extended to her niece, Kristi Sheridan, who held a place in Diane's heart as a daughter in every way that mattered. Diane adored Kristi's three girls, cherishing every opportunity to spoil them and surround them with the same warmth and affection she gave so freely.

Diane found joy in life's simple, meaningful moments. She almost always had a cup of coffee in hand—morning, afternoon, or evening. She LOVED sitting outside on a crisp morning, listening to the birds. Her favorite place to be was the Oregon coast, where she could sit peacefully, listening to the waves and the sea lions, completely at ease. She had a smile that was constant and a laugh that was contagious.

If you saw Diane, you saw joy—unless, of course, her grand dog had been dropped off unannounced. And when she told her stories, which she did so well, you could count on at least one pause halfway through—not for dramatic effect, but because she would be laughing too hard to finish.

Diane had a generous spirit that touched everyone around her. She gave endlessly to her family, her friends, and her community, always showing up with love, kindness, and strength. She also had an incredible gift for storytelling. Diane could remember every detail, no matter how many years had passed, bringing stories to life in a way that made people laugh, reflect, and feel deeply connected.

Diane leaves behind a legacy of strength, love, and devotion that will never be forgotten. Her presence was a gift, her love was a force, and her memory will continue to guide and inspire all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Ruby DeVries, and her brother Cecil DeVries.

She is lovingly survived by her husband, Steve Wade; her sons, Ryan Wade and Kenny Wade; her grandchildren, Ivvy Wade and Otto Wade; her brother, Rick DeVries; and her niece, Kristi Sheridan.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In every cup of coffee, every ocean wave, every thunderstorm and every shared story, we will find her.