Dianna Rebecca O'Neil

Dianna O’Neil, our beloved mother, grandma, sister, auntie, and friend, passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 13, 2024, at the age of 79. Dianna was born November 30, 1944, to Peter and Bertha (Dupuis) Gunn in Nespelem. Dianna was one of 13 children, including William Gunn, Delores Johnson, Katherine (Kapene) Hansen, Peter Gunn, Jr., Reggie Gunn, Geraldine Browning, Virgil Gunn, Willis Gunn, Barry Gunn, Jacki Gunn, and Juanita and Darrell who both passed away at a very young age. Dianna spent most of her life in Omak, graduating from Omak High School in the Class of 1962 with her long-time friend, Lorraine (Manuel) Clark. After high school, Dianna started waitressing for the Wagon Wheel Café on the east side for a short time and later worked for the Stogie Shop for about five years. She then accepted a job at Biles-Coleman in 1971 that was soon after purchased by Crown Zellerbach and ultimately transitioned to Omak Wood Products in 1988. She predominantly worked on the patch line where she was recognized as a dedicated employee and one of the best, retiring after 26 years in 1997 when it filed for bankruptcy. As part of a retraining program through the state, Dianna attended Wenatchee Valley College for almost two years. She later accepted a job with the Colville Tribes as an Enrollment Technician where she continued for 15 years before retiring in 2014. She really enjoyed her time with the Enrollment Office as a Colville tribal member, helping other tribal members with their genealogies and other requests. Dianna met Larry O’Neil when she worked as a waitress, and they married shortly after on January 22, 1966. While they eventually divorced, the two remained very close over the years, always caring for one another, and Larry was there through her final days. They have two children, Kim Hendrick and Chris O’Neil, both of whom live in Omak. Dianna loved and was devoted to her family and friends and was especially proud of her kids and grandchildren. Dianna was a sports and food enthusiast and was quite a dancer and athlete back in the day. She loved going to Mariners games, watching tennis and golf, caring for her flowers, listening to music, and was an avid bingo player at one time. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and visiting all the restaurants along the way. She also had a deep faith in our lord and savior Jesus Christ and was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Dianna was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister Juanita, and brothers Darrell, William, Peter, Reggie, and Barry. She is survived by her children and their spouses (Jeff Hendrick and Christina O’Neil), six grandchildren (Tyler Hendrick, Adam Hendrick, Joel Hendrick, Cyelah O’Neil, Faith Hendrick, and Cassius O’Neil), ex-husband Larry, two brothers (Virgil and Willis), four sisters (Delores, Kapene, Geraldine and her husband Norman, and Jacki), and numerous nieces and nephews. Dianna will be missed tremendously and never forgotten. The family would like to thank Regency Omak Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and its staff for their care and compassion over the past two years. A private family graveside service was held at Okanogan Valley Memorial Gardens. A celebration of life will be held from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, Sunday, May 19th 2024 at the Omak Elks Lodge to share stories and memories.

Dianna Rebecca O'Neil

November 30, 1944 - March 13, 2024