Diane Greene

Diane was born on May 14, 1953 in Chicago, Ill. and grew up in Orland Park, Ill. After graduating from high school, she attended junior college and decided on a career in restaurant management.

In the early 1980s, Diane went to work for a major restaurant chain which eventually lead her to Austin, Texas where she was in charge of new restaurant openings. She returned to Orland Park in 1986 where she remained in a restaurant management position.

In 1989, Diane suffered severe brain trauma, and her strength and courage over the past 20 years when faced with insurmountable challenges was nothing short of remarkable.

A loving and devoted daughter, sister, auntie, niece and friend, she will be missed far more than words could ever describe. What a privilege to have had her in our lives. 

Prior to her brain injury, Diane was hardworking and dedicated and gave everything she had to the task at hand.

She was respectable and fair and went out of her way to help those in need. Diane was intelligent, kind and fun loving, always having the most fun parties and get-togethers with those who meant so much to her.

Diane traveled extensively and met many interesting people along the way. Many of those friendships lasted her lifetime. Diane loved the outdoors, sunbathing and any reason for a barbeque. She water skied, parasailed and danced. She played softball and bowled.

She loved sports, especially the Chicago Bears, and was a diehard Cub fan. Her favorite day was sitting in the left field bleachers at Wrigley Field and drinking an ice cold beer, then going to Harry Carey's for a night cap.

Diane loved music, especially Elvis, Bon Jovi (backstage passes), Chicago, the Beach Boys and she even stood in line all night to get tickets to see Barry Manilow (sorry Di) at the Chicago Stadium.

In 1996, Diane, along with her mother, father and sisters, moved to Scottsdale.

The family dedicated themselves to caring for Diane and all of her needs. In 2006, Diane developed a severe infection and never fully recovered. Our beautiful Diane passed away at home on May 3, 2009 with her family by her side.

Diane is preceded in death by her father, Glenn Greene, and is survived by her mother, Loretta Greene of Scottsdale; sisters, Susan Greene Anderson (Capt. Don) of Fountain Hills, and Carol Walker (David) of Scottsdale; brother, Glenn Greene of Grays Lake, Ill.; nephew, Stephen Dickens of Beacon, N.Y.; nieces, Alicia and Sarah Walker; her Aunt Josephine Honeman of Des Plaines, Ill.; and many other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Diane also leaves behind many kind and caring friends. Please do not be sad. Diane's life may be over, but her memory and the memories we made with her will live on in our hearts forever.

A memorial celebration will take place on Saturday, May 16, at 11:45 a.m. at the performance pad, on the north end of Fountain Park, Fountain Hills.

Questions can be directed to Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary (480) 837-5588. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following charities: Hospice of Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014; Autism Speaks, 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 2250, Los Angeles, CA 90036; or the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Michael C. Littrell

Michael Collins Littrell, 65, of Fountain Hills, passed away on May 10, 2009.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorajean Littrell; two daughters, Michelle Scott and her husband, Wesley Scott, Kathleen Elsberry and her husband, Jeremy Elsberry; two grandsons, Brodie and Chase Scott; sister, Lynn White, and nephew, Chris White and his wife, Shannon Bell, and their son, Lucas White.

Mike had an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force.  He recently retired from the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, where he worked for 17 years.  

His greatest loves were his wife and traveling.  The couple recently returned from a trip of a lifetime to Australia and New Zealand. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Mayo Clinic Research.

A memorial service is planned at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. A luncheon is being planned afterwards.

William B. Minkin

William B. Minkin, 84, a Fountain Hills resident, passed away April 29, 2009.

Bill and his wife, Gail, moved to Fountain Hills in 1997 from Dana Point, Calif. He was a board member and active volunteer in the Noon Kiwanis and a member of “The Club.”

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a communications specialist during WW II. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Bill is survived by his wife, Gail; two children, Susan Minkin of Alexandria, Va., and Robert Minkin of Denver, Colo.; and his sister, Carole Edmunds-Minkin of Laguna Nigel, Calif.

A memorial service was held Sunday, May 3. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Fountain Hills Noon Kiwanis.

Roberta S. VanLaanen

Roberta Susannah VanLaanen, a Fountain Hills resident since 1995 and part-time Arizona resident since 1978, passed away at her home on May 1, 2009, with her family by her side.

Born in Lock Haven, Pa., Nov. 15, 1918 to Robert B. McCormick and Florence A. Reeder, Roberta was the older of two daughters. She attended Meadville High School and graduated from Rollin University in Florida with a degree in journalism. She was a member of the golf, swim and horseback riding teams.

Roberta loved adventures and traveled extensively throughout the world. Always with a journal and a camera in tote to record every new destination and if she could schedule a game of golf, she considered the trip perfect.

An avid golfer since high school, she holds numerous trophies from various events throughout the United States. Her most prized were two from the Pinehurst Women’s Invitational.

Roberta held various positions and memberships in the Fountain Hills area: Club East Women’s Golf Assn., Fountain Hills Golf Assn., Fountain Hills Art League, Fountain Hills bridge groups, Phoenix Art Museum, DAR, Alpha Theta, Boyce Thompson Arboretum and docent, Desert Botanical Garden.

Roberta was a juried artist n Arizona and Wisconsin and was quite generous with her work. She donated pieces for charity events and gifted her family and friends.

Roberta was an avid supporter of the environment throughout her lifetime. She volunteered and worked diligently for many groups to promote and educate about the fragility of our planet Earth.

Roberta is survived by her three children, Robert (Bette) Parmentier, Leslie (Chuck) Hagmann and Jules (Kathy) Parmentier; grandchildren, Christine and Robert Parmentier, Laird (Ande) Hagmann and Ashley (Eric) Cooley, Hayley and J.J. Parmentier; great grandchildren, Kylie and Logan Hagmann; nieces and nephews in California, Nevada and Wisconsin. Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Lance J. VanLaanen; her parents, Robert and Florence McCormick; and her sister, Josephine F. Cochran.

Roberta will be remembered for her insatiable desire to learn and her ability to make it so much fun.

At Roberta’s request there will be no formal memorial service. She will be placed next to her father in Lock Haven, Pa.

Memorials may be made in Roberta’s name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.