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Diana Gale (Walter) Dively, 73, of Altoona, formerly of Claysburg, passed away Wednesday at her home after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic and liver cancer. Her loving husband was by her bedside. Diana was born in Roaring Spring, the only child of William R. "Bill/Will" and Loretta Mae "Ret" (Dodson) Walter. She was the last surviving member of the Walter family.
Diana is survived by her husband, George L. Dively, with whom she celebrated 40 years of marriage; and their beloved cat, Gipper. She is also survived by two stepchildren, Tod (Wendy) and Tye Dively; two step-grandchildren, Justin and Alex Dively; two aunts, Dorothy Dodson and Barbara (Jerry) Leslie; two uncles, Vincent (Joy) Dodson and Michael Ercole; special cousins: Hunter, Mallory and Piper Dodson; and numerous other cousins.
She was preceded in death by grandparents: Roy and Elda Walter and Leo and Marie C. Dodson; aunts and uncles: Jeanne (Ted) Delozier, Marian "Mamie" (Michael) Blazevich, Paul "Conwell" Dodson, Raymond (Judy) Dodson, Colleen Ercole, Lawrence "Mike" Dodson, Inez (Eric) Biesinger, Mabel (Melvin "Ink") Dodson and Florence (Frank) Burket.
Diana graduated from Claysburg-Kimmel High School, class of 1970, where she was involved in many activities, such as head cheerleader, student council and was C-K's first homecoming queen. She also graduated from Penn State University Class of 1975.
She was an avid Penn State Football fan and even greater fan of Notre Dame, making many trips there to celebrate "The Fighting Irish," Villanova and Gonzaga Basketball, golf, basketball, reading and yoga.
She belonged and supported many organizations, such as Sylvan Hills Ladies Golf, NRA, local police, law enforcement, Wounded Warriors, Catholic Daughters of America and the Claysburg Legion Auxiliary Post 522. She was also a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Newry, where she was the first female Lector. Of all Diana's activities in her life, her passion was organizing and participating in The Claysburg American Legion Post 522 Memorial Day programs in memory of her father, a POW, and all deceased veterans for the past 30 years.
Diana also planned, organized and hosted The Little Miss Beauty Pageant in conjunction with the Claysburg Area Community Days. After her mother's passing in 2009 she dedicated the pageant in her memory as her mother "Ret" was her right hand person throughout those initial years. Diana taught many young ladies poise, self-worth, and beauty over these years. This August would have been her 31st anniversary of presenting this pageant, and Diana had plans to pass the baton over to a younger person. It seems God had plans to call her name to come and be a Little Miss Princess in His Kingdom. We are sure she is resting comfortably in his loving arms.
Friends and family will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2025, at The Good Funeral Home Inc., 108 Alto-Reste Park, Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Private interment at Alto-Reste Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Patrick Catholic School, 731 Patrick Lane, Newry, PA 16665.
thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com