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Dianne SAMS Obituary
SAMS, Dianne
(Tenneson)
(Age 71)
Our Mother, Grandmother, and Dear Friend after a long illness went to be with the Lord on March 29, 2018. Dianne was born August 11, 1946 to Grace (Manfred) and Paul Tenneson in Spokane, WA.
She graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1946. She then attended Gonzaga School of Nursing but was forced to change majors due to health complications. She then graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Accounting where she also passed the bar exam becoming a CPA. In 1980 she researched her own adoption seeking out answers for her own health complications. She was pleased in 1981 to meet both her birth mother and birth father who each went on to have six children each and to get the answers she had so many questions to. To be raised most of her life as an only child and to learn that she has 12 half siblings was an amazing find.
In 1981 she began practicing adoption law acting as a confidential intermediary. She was a founding member of WARM (Washington Adoptive Rights Movement). Dianne reunited thousands of people whose lives have been affected by adoption. She always looked to the good service she provided of making people feel whole and getting the answers they deserve. She lived and practiced by her own motto "Every child deserves to know two things in life. Their ethnicity,
and their medical background to begin any type of healing process ."
She and her husband Jean were longtime members of the Spangle Community Church where they believed in Jesus Christ with their whole hearts. Her friends and neighbors were such a wonderful comfort after the passing of her husband in December of 2016 who died peacefully at their five generation home and farm, founded in 1890 in Spangle, WA. Dianne is also preceded in death by both of her parents Grace (Manfred) and Paul Tenneson (Spokane, WA, and her adopted sister Marlene Goodson (Spangle, WA). Dianne is survived by her daughter, Traci Widick (Troy) of Spokane, WA and Spangle, WA; her son Kent Sams of Boise, ID; and grandchildren Nicholas, Trent and Trianna.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 21st 2018, at Spangle Community Church followed by a potluck.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dianne SAMS
5 Entries
A. Hillman
September 3, 2020
I remember how kind and caring she was , her smile lit up a room when she entered. She always appreciated the small things and lived life to the fullest. She was such an excellent mentor, I gained so much confidence and learned so much from her. She changed my life and I am forever grateful. I send my heartfelt condolences to her family and many friends, I am praying for them, she will be greatly missed.
Randy Vandenbos
April 24, 2018
So sorry to hear of Diannes passing. She was a real fine lady and fun person dating back to SHADLE.
April 21, 2018
Like to express my condolence to the family, may the God of all comfort be with family and friends.
Cheryl Maiola
April 19, 2018
I'm so sorry to hear of Dianne's passing. She was such a beautiful lady inside and out. I loved having a glass of wine with her once in a while. She was always so sweet and caring. I will remember her with that beautiful smile when I think about her. My sincere condolences to her family. Blessings and love.
Caryl Ann Byrne/Herman
April 18, 2018
So sorry to hear about Dianne's passing. She and I went all through Willard Elem school, Glover and Shadle together. It was always a treat when we would encounter each other along the way in our lives. She shared her love, warmth and humor with everyone she met.
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