Celebration of life Saturday for Diann Marie Sales, 1969-2015

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A Celebration of Life is planned this Saturday for Diann Marie Sales, who died on June 9th at age 46. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:

Diann Marie Sales was born to Daniel C. Higgins and Florence Marie Higgins, on March 11, 1969, in Seattle, Washington. She went to Auburn Senior High School and later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Diann met Ryan Jay Sales in 1994, and married him in Seattle in 2004. Diann worked as a visual artist and art framer at Northwest Art and Frame in West Seattle. Throughout her life she worked in mixed media, including photography, painting, and handcrafts. Diann’s dream of becoming a mother was realized when she and Ryan adopted Elliot, born in 2011, and Frances, born in 2013. Their adoption was finalized hours before she passed away after a courageous, nine-month battle with uterine cancer.

Diann was loved by all, from the children she cared for as a nanny, to regular customers in the West Seattle community, to co-workers, to longtime friends, to a large extended family, to her sister and brother-in-law, her beautiful niece and nephew, and especially her husband and two extraordinary children. She was a much-loved, unique, creative, and singular woman who will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in honor of her exemplary life may be directed to Amara Parenting and Adoption Services, the organization who facilitated the adoption of her two children.

Celebrating the Life of Diann Marie Sales: Saturday, June 27th, 2015, 6:30 pm, Arbor Heights Community Church, 4113 SW 102nd St; Facebook link here. For anyone interested in attending, please contact Ryan J. Sales by 6 pm Friday: 206-225-9586.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

sad June 25, 2015 (2:26 pm)

I’m so terribly sorry. I truly hope you are surrounded by friends and family strong enough to be there for all of you.

Losing a mother at a young age leaves a gap no one understands but those who have experienced it. I hope adults step in to love those kids along with Dad.

Paul June 25, 2015 (7:17 pm)

I am so sorry to hear of Diann’s passing. She was always so incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly to me when I went to get a project framed at Northwest Art & Frame. My condolences on the loss to her family. Life can be all too short.

SillyGoose June 25, 2015 (7:50 pm)

Oh no this is heart breaking, she was such a ray of sunshine and helped me on so many framing projects, I will miss her and pray for her family and her coworkers this is the second loss for that business.

Barbara June 26, 2015 (1:12 am)

I always remember Diann as a loving daughter. Her care and support to her Momma was incredible. What joy filled her heart and life when she became a momma to Elliott and Frankie. Her own family and friends are her legacy of love to her children. They will have the love she had as a child. Diann has left a great big hole in this world. You will always be loved and missed. Holy Spirit come as a comforter to those she has left behind. The path without you will be harder.

Pat'Al K June 26, 2015 (8:47 am)

This just breaks my heart.Our girls grew up together. Marie, I cant express the sorrow.We love you and your family.God’s peace.

Keith June 26, 2015 (10:49 am)

I had the pleasure of befriending Ryan and Diann through the West Seattle chapter of the Amara Connects program; our adopted girl shared a few play dates with Elliott (same age) and baby Frances. Adopting children from foster care is no walk in the park, though walks in the park certainly help new families to bond. Diann rose to the occasion with joy, humor, compassion the natural gift of motherhood. She was a delight to talk to and an inspiration as we moved forward with our adoption. We look forward to many more play dates with Ryan and the children in the days, months and years to come.