Diana Patt

Diana Lynn Patt, age 72, of Bonne Terre, Missouri, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Festus. A devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and cherished friend, Diana lived a life defined by an extraordinary love for her family and a quiet, unmistakable kindness toward others. She had a gift for recognizing when someone needed a little extra care and a heart that always found room to give it.

Diana met her future husband, Ricky (Rick) Patt, while they were students at North County Junior High. What began as young love grew into 53 years of marriage and a lifetime of shared memories. Rick was not only her husband but her best friend and soulmate. Together, they navigated life’s joys and sorrows with unwavering love and the steadfast knowledge that, whatever came their way, they had each other. The life they built was a testament to a love that endured, deepened, and remained constant through every season.

After working at Swing-A-Way, where she formed lifelong friendships and took pride in the hard work she shared with her coworkers, Diana embraced what would become her most meaningful role: caring for her family. She excelled as a homemaker, creating a home where love was expressed in a thousand everyday ways. There were delicious meals on the table, lunches prepared for the day ahead, and thoughtful little surprises that made ordinary days special.

Diana was a resourceful and patient teacher. When her daughters struggled with a spelling word or the states and capitals, she found creative ways to help them learn. She understood that raising her girls meant more than meeting their needs; it meant encouraging their curiosity, celebrating their accomplishments, and helping them find their way through life’s little challenges.

 She also never missed an opportunity to be there for her daughters. From basketball, volleyball, and softball games to band and choir concerts and school plays, Diana was a constant presence in their lives. She drove them to countless practices and rehearsals, rearranged her days around their activities, and made sure they knew they always had someone cheering them on. Whether they were stepping onto a court, taking the field, performing on stage, or simply navigating the everyday challenges of growing up, their mom was there. Her presence was one of the most enduring ways she showed her love: she gave her time freely, made her daughters’ interests her own, and made sure they never had to wonder whether she would be there.

Some of Diana’s happiest memories were made with her family at Clearwater Lake, camping and fishing together, and at Daytona Beach, where she delighted in the ocean. Her family will always smile remembering her frolicking in the waves, sometimes with the ocean happily returning the favor. Those moments captured her playful spirit and the simple joy she found in being together. Her peanut butter and sugar cookies were another favorite, a sweet reminder of the warmth and love she shared from her kitchen. 

Perhaps Diana’s most remarkable quality was her ability to see people who might otherwise be overlooked. She was quick to volunteer at her daughters’ classroom parties and field trips, help in the church nursery, and serve during Vacation Bible School. She and Rick also drove the church pickup van to bring elderly members of the community to church. When someone was sick or a family was grieving, Diana was ready with a meal, baked goods, or whatever she could do to make a difficult time a little easier. 

Her kindness often reached beyond what anyone would think to ask of her. She might offer a comforting hand to a child who needed love or notice an older woman who would otherwise spend Easter alone without a special meal. Diana saw these moments not as obligations, but as opportunities to make someone feel remembered and loved. 

There was always room for one more plate at Diana’s table. Her home was a place of welcome, and she never needed a special occasion to show someone they mattered. She simply noticed, cared, and acted. In a world that can sometimes overlook the quiet needs of others, Diana made a difference through the countless small acts of love that defined her life.

Diana is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Ricky (Rick) Patt; her daughters, Shannon Chandler and her husband, John Chandler, and Amy Patt and her fiancée, Daniel Perez; and her cherished granddaughters, Claire Patt and Emma Chandler. She also leaves behind extended family members and dear friends, including lifelong friends from her years at Swing-A-Way, who will remember her with love and affection. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Homer Lee Peery; her mother, Anna Jeanne (Sherrill) Blackwell; and her grandparents, Alfred and Edna Mae Sherrill.

For 53 years, Rick had his best friend beside him. For her daughters, she was the mother who showed up, cheered them on, taught them, and made home a place of comfort and belonging. For her granddaughters, she was a grandmother whose love made them feel cherished. And for so many others, she was the person who noticed, remembered, and showed up when it mattered most. 

Diana spent her life making sure others were cared for, included, and loved. That is the legacy she leaves behind: a lifetime of love, carried forward in the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at C.Z. Boyer & Son – Bonne Terre Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Richard Wiskus. Burial will take place at Bonne Terre Cemetery.