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Diana M. McKenzie
1949 - 2025
BORN
1949
DIED
2025
Diana McKenzie Obituary
March 13, 1949 - November 19, 2025
Diana M. McKenzie, 76, of Staunton and later Charlottesville, Va., died on November 19, 2025, at Martha Jefferson House in Charlottesville.
Born March 13, 1949, in Denver, Colo., she was the daughter of the late Hazel (Cottrell) Geissler of Kents Store and Hugo H. Geissler, and the granddaughter of the late Clay Rex and Opal (Robertson) Cottrell of Kents Store.
An Air Force veteran and graduate of California State University, Sacramento, Diana spent her career primarily in academic administration, retiring from the University of Virginia. In her younger years, she loved motorcycles, rock climbing and international travel. As she grew older, she loved calico cats, dragons and dreamcatchers, Legos-the more complicated, the better-and spending time with her siblings. She supported wildlife and animal protection organizations and sponsored the educations of children in the Philippines.
Diana is survived by siblings, Evan H. (Judith) Geissler of Munster, Ind., Judy G. Russell of Ruckersville, Paul E. (Nadine) Geissler of Flagstaff, Ariz., Kathryn C. (Michael) St. Clair of Charlottesville, Frederick M. (Nicole Puri) Geissler of Manassas, Warren H. (Carol) Geissler of Denver, Colo., and William K. (Carolyn) Geissler of Stafford; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and -nephews, and cousins by the dozens.
The family offers its particular thanks to the Hospice of the Piedmont and nurse Mary Brand-James, the NEWT nurses, and Dr. Simran Mann, and a special thank you to Chaplain Patty for her care. Special thanks also go to the staff of the Martha Jefferson House for their extraordinary care in Diana's last illness.
Interment will be private and a family celebration of life will be held in 2026 in her native Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Dog Is My CoPilot, (https://dogcopilot.org/), P.O. Box 3399, Jackson, WY 83001.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.abettercremation.org.
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