Diane Hawthorne

Diane Lois Cleland Hawthorne passed away on October 14, 2017, in her home and went to be with her Heavenly Father and her family and friends who have gone before. She had great faith in the Lord's will and was an amazing example of strength throughout her life until the very end. She was very eager to get to Heaven and her family finds great peace knowing she is there and that her spirit is still very much alive! Diane was born on September 22, 1940 to Archie Cleland and Elinor Hukee Cleland in Little Prairie, Minnesota. Her parents and their six children (Bob, Shirley, Diane, Jim, Rick, and Gary) relocated to Arizona in 1949. Throughout her life, Diane had an amazing ability to love unconditionally, show compassion, be selfless, and give heartfelt service to strangers, friends, and family. She was an amazing homemaker and found great fulfillment in being a wonderful mother and in keeping a very clean and organized home. While her children were growing up, many of their friends could be found at Diane's house and she was always eager to welcome them, serve them, and love them. When her children were older, she held jobs at Safford Dance Academy, Mt. Graham Community Hospital, and the local care center. She also volunteered with services for animals, and created her own business called "Diane's Helping Hands". She was a member of the Lutheran Church and later in life became a member of the Methodist Church. She loved spending time with her family and friends and adored her grandchildren! Jeff, her husband of 29 years, always called her "Sugar" and they had so much fun together! Anyone who was ever around them could not doubt their sweet love for each other. She loved her pets, talking on the phone, sunflowers, barns and cows, gospel music, old hymns, and the song "You Are My Sunshine". She also loved making jam and burritos for her loved ones, doing puzzles, reading and having yard sales. She was known throughout her life as Wonder Woman for how much she could accomplish with such positivity and vigor in one day! Diane is survived by her husband Jeff Hawthorne, her son Danny Johnson (Andrea) and grandchildren Mackenzie, Jack, and Caroline of Scottsdale, her daughter Shelley Johnson Van Shaar (Nate) and grandchildren Casey, Krishel, Sadie, and JJ of Gilbert, a step-daughter Marianne Hawthorne of Virginia, and two brothers Rick Cleland of Prescott and Gary (Deneice) Cleland of Thatcher. She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Elinor Cleland, step-dad Cy Teague, sister Shirley Cleland-Fernandez, brothers Bob and Jim Cleland, step-daughter Debra, and many dear friends. She lived by the golden rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and she asked that in her memory, we all do the same. Monetary donations can also be made in her honor to the Graham County Animal Shelter. Her family would like to thank you for all of the love, support, and friendship you have shown to her and to us. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Safford, AZ.