Diana Loraine Mckinney

Diana was born Dec. 20, 1944, the seventh child of Harney and Irene (Niemi) Hermo in Clatskanie, Ore., and died Aug. 18, 2023.

Her early years were spent on the family farm along the Columbia River, attending the local schools. She watched her four brothers play baseball, and grew to love the sport, throwing and catching the ball for hours as a time. At the age of 12, one of her teachers took her to the Special Olympics to compete in softball throwing. Diana broke the National Record. At the young age of 15, she started playing with the famous lady team Erv Lind Florists.

She married Paul McKinney and this ended her ball playing days. They lived in several different areas working on big construction projects. After years of being on the move, Diana and Paul moved back to Clatskanie and settled down.

For the next several years Diana worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service delivering in the Clatskanie area.

Diana was a real sports fan, supporting all the Clatskanie area teams. One of her brothers was a baseball coach, she was always asking him for information, and her real life hero was her brother Harry who was one of the top athletes in the Clatskanie Area.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Irene; a sister, Pat; three brothers, Harry, Robert and Dale; and her husband, Paul in 1993.

Diana was active in the following groups: Eastern Star for 27 years, Clatskanie Presbyterian Church for 10 years, CERT for 15 years and Clatskanie Cruisers for 30 years.

In Lieu of flowers, Diana made the request that donations be made to the Clatskanie Fire District and the Clatskanie Castle Nutrition Program.

A funeral is planned for 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at Alston Corner Assembly with Pastor Ron Jacobson officiating. A luncheon will follow at the American Legion Hall.