Diana Story's Obituary
Diana Dee Story (nee Atchison), 79, of Decatur, passed away February 1, 2023, surrounded by her family. Diana was born November 18, 1943, to Charles (Sam) and Lola (Dee) Dolores (Orey) Atchison. Diana was a graduate of Sunnyside Grade School and Warrensburg Latham High School.
She married David Hegarty in 1962. They were blessed with 4 children: Denise, Jennifer, Emily, and Michael. She later married Donald Story in 1984, and gained a bonus son, Kevin Story.
She was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Mom loved and admired her family. She was so proud of all of her children, grands, and greats. We all have wonderful memories of camping and fishing together. All of the grandkids remember her “dessert before dinner” rule. She enjoyed going to their games and hollering her infamous “Woo Hoo!”. She loved to play games with the greats and introduced them to Farkle.
Mom was quirky and loved to have fun. She was spontaneous and a free spirit. She and Papa Don, as we affectionately called him, created a place of peace and love for everyone at their home on Crow Mountain in Russelville, Arkansas. They were child advocates for many years, and both worked for Legacy Lodge Nursing Home in Russelville until Papa’s death in 2007. She moved to Blue Springs, MO and worked in the healthcare system as a caregiver until 2020. She moved back to Decatur in 2020 to be closer to her family and found a community at Eagle Ridge Assisted Living in 2021. Mom made friends easily and enjoyed the activities, outings, and the nightly Farkle games.
She leaves behind in love: Denise Isom and her husband Rob of Decatur. IL, Jen Parrish of Decatur, IL, Emily Aadland and her husband Kirby of Kansas City, MO, Mike Hegarty and his wife Sara of Kansas City, MO, Kevin Story, of Goliad, Texas, niece, Molly and nephew, Chad Reynolds as well as her very best “sister from another mother“, Myra Sepich.
Mom is preceded in eternal peace by her Daddy, Sam, and Mother, Dee Atchison, sister Carole Reynolds, and husband Don Story.
A celebration of Mom’s life will be held Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 10:30-11:30 at Eagle Ridge, 875 W. McKinley Ave, Decatur, IL.
Our family would like to acknowledge all the staff at Eagle Ridge for the excellent care and support they have given Mom and our family. We would also like to acknowledge her Warrensburg-Latham friends. She cherished your friendships and comradery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Eagle Ridge Assisted Living.
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