Funeral and reception this Friday for Diane Casey Williams

Though we currently do not have an official Obituaries section, when someone takes the time and trouble to ask us to publish an obituary, so that other community members know of the passing, we certainly oblige, and will continue doing so if you have occasion to seek publication of one. (editor@westseattleblog.com) This morning, Genie wrote to ask that we share news of the upcoming funeral for her sister, longtime West Seattleite Diane Casey Williams:

Born on September 28 1937, she lived most of her life in West Seattle with her husband Orval and her boys, Mark, Dale, Casey and Tom. She was a fixture at Farmers Insurance at “The Junction,” working for Ray Atwood since she was 18 when she graduated from Holy Rosary. She then moved up in the insurance world achieving the high rank of Average Adjuster for maritime claims at Frank B Hall and Fis Maritime, a feat rare for a woman. Diane was a competent, compassionate worker, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who had care-taking down to a science. I have never met anyone who knew my “big sister” who didn’t love her. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 10:00 am, followed by a reception at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Please join the family in celebrating Diane’s life.

Tricia Casey Byard, Psy.D June 25, 2009 (4:08 pm)

My Aunt Diane and her family were like a surrogate family to me and my sister, Michael Anne. My mother, Marilyn, lived with Aunt Diane and Uncle Willy and their boys before she married my Dad (Diane’s younger brother, Mike). I grew up hearing about stories from that time, how much it meant to my Mom to be welcomed into Diane’s family and the Casey family overall, how much she loved the boys, how much she loved Diane. Although we grew up overseas, Diane and her family were our special American cousins and her boys were the closest to brothers that we ever had. Every time we came back to the States and West Seattle, we would either stay with the Williams or spend much of our time at their house. Aunt Diane was a constant positive presence in my life throughout my childhood and though I did not see her much as an adult (I live on the East Coast) I always knew that she loved me deeply, and that she was proud of me. I will miss her smile, her laugh, her sense of humor. I will miss hearing about her through my Dad, her best buddy. I will miss my Aunt Diane very, very much, and I know that many hearts are aching for her right now. I love you, my family in Seattle. Tricia

John Aumell June 26, 2009 (7:01 am)

I worked with Diane when we were both employed at FBHall. She worked for quite the scoundrel, Bob Dixon, a blow hard NYorker, who had a big heart but was just seemed to take Diane for granted. She was a diligent assistant to Bob and ultimately he passed on the desire for her to take up the trade as an Average Adjuster. She was a pleasure to work with and I’m glad I got to know Diane as we both progressed in our careers. God bless her family in this time of grief.

Susan K Goheen June 29, 2009 (3:30 pm)

I first worked with Diane in 1983 at Rollins Burdick Hunter (RBH) in Seattle. I left RBH but returned in 1985 and worked with her again and under her guidance and mentorship became a Jr. Average Adjuster in the Association. I continued to work under her guidance until February of 2000 when I left the brokerage side of the business. She was a great mentor and although I had not seen her much over the last 9+ years I would think of her often when I had a tough adjusting situation.

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