Diana L. Conn

Diana Lee “Cookie” Conn, nee McIntire, 92, died October 14, 2021, joining our Dad, Harold Matthew “Budd” Conn, who died in 1967, for a long-awaited dance among the stars. Dad whispered in her ear, and she took his hand once again. Diana lived in the same house in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, for more than 60 years, where she worked tirelessly to single-handedly raise six “good kids.” Mom sometimes reminded us we are one of seven — our baby sister, Susan Joan, born in 1960, lived only a couple days, breaking Mom’s and Dad’s hearts. One of Mom’s greatest goals — and accomplishments — was to turn out six college-educated kids. But that road wasn’t easy. Mom never dated after Dad died, and going it alone meant spending hours at the kitchen table surrounded by paperwork, borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, she often said, but making sure everything was paid, applied for and turned in on time, especially college-scholarship forms.

Her organizational skills were unmatched. Diana thrived on staying busy, and insisted we be active in everything — sports, Scouting, band, church — so the station wagon was always loaded with kids and gear. She made sure we had eye glasses, musical instruments and athletic uniforms, and went to Scout camp and, ultimately, to college. The house was full of life — all kinds. We brought home strays, especially dogs, and over the years had a cat, some fish, a bird and assorted rodents, rendering the backyard a true pet cemetery. Mom especially fell for a shaggy, gray stray dog she named Michael, who she said was Dad reincarnated, because he looked at her with such love in his eyes. We brought home stray kids, too, from troubled homes, and Mom opened our house, offering hot meals and clean beds, allowing them to stay, in some cases, for weeks.

Mom welcomed all our friends and in the early years we had a bumper pool table in the basement, later replaced with a ping-pong table. Mom had a volley-ball net installed in the side yard, where kids from around the neighborhood came to practice cheerleading and gymnastics, and play kick ball and baseball. Mom filled the shelves with our trophies, and covered her walls with photos. She loved film, too. None of us will forget the blinding glare of the Super 8 movie camera Mom fired up for every occasion, capturing us making silly faces, blowing out candles and dancing with Dad when he was well, and singing happy birthday to him for the last time. How we treasure those old B&W clips. Diana loved sports, especially football, and she told a story about breaking her nose as a teenager playing football in the street. She loved the Cleveland Browns, too, and enjoyed hollering at the TV on Sundays. With her kids, it didn’t matter what sport we played or how well we played it — Mom was always in the front row, cheering loudest.

Diana loved crystals and glass objet d'art, and filled her windows with brilliant color, reflecting her vivacious personality. She hated mornings and cloudy skies, but on sunny days she sometimes broke into song, opera-style, and she had a darn good vibrato. Mom never took much time for herself, but she bowled with Dad, and continued after he died. She was good, too, bowling in 1969 in the Firestone Tournament of Champions alongside Dick Weber. Into her 80s, Diana bowled on teams with her kids, somehow picking up splits we could only dream of. Diana loved music, especially Tom Jones, Johnny Mathis and Michael Bublé, who sometimes brought a tear to her eye as she grew older, missing our Dad. Mom and her sister, Pat Price, had “garage sailing” down to a science, mapping out their course before hitting the road, and they knew the whereabouts of every clean bathroom in Summit County. Mom instinctively knew what tickled kids of any age, and garage sailing allowed her to fill her house with toys, Hot Wheels, costumes, gowns, wigs, dolls (all the Barbies!) and books, making her a favorite with her many grandkids and great-grandkids. A black-haired, blue-eyed beauty throughout her life, Diana believed in putting her best foot forward, and her makeup was always perfect.

She was born in Wellsville, Ohio in 1929, one of 10 McIntire kids, and she loved her family dearly. She told us Dad, an only child, was thrilled to be part of the McIntire family, too. Diana had many girlfriends, and loved attending her reunions at Wellsville High School. She was Prom Queen in 1947, and voted most popular girl in her class. During one of the last reunions, she rode the float in the city parade, wearing a sash and tiara. Among our favorite memories are family gatherings, in Wellsville, celebrating her mom, Grandma McIntire’s, Fourth of July birthday, at our house on Thanksgiving and Aunt Pat’s house each New Year’s Day. Diana’s sisters and brothers all came to those celebrations, and with our 27 first cousins, kids were everywhere. Her dad, Grandpa Mac, and the uncles were usually in the living room watching football, while the six McIntire girls gathered around the kitchen table. The sisters talked about everything — families they’d grown up with, their own kids and husbands, and they laughed until they howled. Ours was a big, loud, vibrant family that delighted in each other’s company. What we wouldn’t give to have everyone around that kitchen table once again. Diana was truly one of a kind. If you had met her, you would never forget her.

Diana was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Matthew “Budd” Conn; daughter Susan Joan Conn; parents, Margaret D. and Morgen O. McIntire; sister Rebecca Brisbin; and brothers Victor McIntire and Morgan “Junior” McIntire. She leaves her heartbroken sons, Harold M. “Budd” Conn, Jeffrey O. Conn (Catherine Serafin) and Gerald B. Conn (Karen Lawhorn-Conn); and daughters Becky L. Conn Shephard, Jennifer L. Conn and Cynthia D. Conn; siblings Patricia Price, Alice “Smooth” Donaldson, Susan Brisbin, John McIntire, King McIntire and Nancy Ayers, along with many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Diana will take place Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Billow Funeral Home FALLS Chapel, 1907 23rd St. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223. Family and friends may visit from 11-1 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Falls Chapel, 1907 23rd Street  Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44223.