Diane True Parsons

Diane True Perry Parsons passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on March 10, 2020, doing what she loved, traveling with family...this time on a cruise through the Panama Canal.

She was born July 24, 1948, to Lila Edna Walton and Walter David Perry III. During her early life they lived on "Christmas Street". The family always enjoyed decorating the house with colored lights and continued the tradition to this day. The Perry's were heavily involved in the Salt Lake Valley Racing Association, racing stock cars at the Hippodrome, Salt Bowl, & Fairgrounds. Diane served as trophy queen many times. Diane had a love of music that started at an early age. She loved to accompany choirs, small groups, and soloists, particularly her children and did so until arthritis and poor sight made it too difficult. Diane graduated from Granite High School in 1966 and then attended College of Southern Utah.

She married Paul Morris Buhanan (later divorced) on September 15, 1967. Together they had two children, Suzanne and Stephen. She married Gerald Lane Parsons on March 12, 1977, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they had one son, Benjamin, and adopted one daughter, Amy. Gerry had three children from a prior marriage, Jerry, Diane Sue, and Aaron. As mom used to say, "the children were his, mine, ours, and somebody else's" and she loved them all.

Diane worked hard her entire life with thirty plus years working for the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City, working side by side with her beloved mom for many of those years. She had a very special bond with her mom, and they served as each other's guardian angels even on the final cruise. She enjoyed working as a Teacher's Aide at Midvale Elementary and later worked for her brothers at Perry's Honda World and The Multi Media Center.

She served faithfully in many callings in the Midvale and Canyon Rim Stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. She was always very kind and generous to all she came in contact with, including the many pets she owned over the years.

She loved playing the piano, relaxing at the family cabin near Silver Fork, playing games, collecting butterfly art, traveling all over the world (especially Disneyland), and watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports, music, and theater. But most of all, she loved her family and just enjoyed being with them regardless of the time, location or activity.

Diane is survived by her husband, Gerry; children Suzanne (Wade) Walker, Stephen Paul (Kathy) Parsons, Benjamin Thomas (Linsey) Parsons, and Amy Parsons; 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; her mother Lila; her brothers Dave (Julie) Perry, Dick (Babette) Perry, Ron (Linda) Perry, and Tom Perry. Preceded in death by her father Walter David Perry III.

Due to the current pandemic situation, there will be a memorial service for immediate family only, with a celebration of her life to be held on her birthday, July 24 (details to be determined at a later date). Diane loved her family, animals, and butterflies.  So in lieu of flowers or other gifts, heal a family rift, adopt an animal, or enjoy the beauty of a butterfly - just "Make it a Great Day!"