Obituary of Diane Marie Partain

Diane Marie Partain of Washougal passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at the age of 68; her zest and generosity of spirit will be painfully missed. Born September 25, 1940 to James and Sarah Cacicia Amato, she grew up in South East Portlandâ??s Italian-American community and would relish her rich cultural heritage all of her days. One year after graduating from Cleveland High School, Diane married her life partner, Leland C. Partain, on June 20, 1959. The following year, she bore their only child, Gregory. Living for a time in Seattle, Washougal, and Pittsburgh, the family returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1967, settling permanently in the Camas-Washougal area. Diane enjoyed a thirty-year career as secretary at the Crown Zellerbach/James River Central Research Division in Camas, where she established numerous lifelong friendships and played a significant role in company community building. Active in community service and civic events, Diane contributed regularly to numerous organizations, including the AFS student exchange program and Community Concert Series. After retiring in 1997, she served on the board of directors for the Two Rivers Historical Society in Washougal and produced a cookbook of Italian recipes, undertaken as a tribute to her mother. To the end, Dianeâ??s greatest joy was to please and take care of others, especially her immediate and large extended family. Diane is survived by her devoted husband of fifty years, Lee, her son, Greg Carolyn Dupont and three grandchildren Julianne, Daniel, Elise of Lexington, Kentucky, her mother, Sarah, of Portland and sister, Karen Harris, of Boise, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Doris Boscola. A memorial service and reception will be at 10:00 am Friday, March 13, at Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church on SE 18th and Division in Portland, with burial at Rose City Cemetery. Donations in Dianeâ??s memory can be sent to Hospice Southwest PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA, 98668 or Saint Philp Neri 2408 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR, 97214. To send condolences or sign the online guestbook, visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.