Dian Stephanie Mannion

1939 - 2024

Nampa - Dian Stephanie (Crooks) Mannion, age 84, passed away on Jan. 26, 2024. Dian was a person of faith who was vibrant, strong, and humane. She was a beautiful woman, always ready to laugh and live life to the fullest. Her artistic spirit and imagination inspired her children and all those who knew her.

Dian and her twin Dean Jr. were born in 1939 to Winnefred and Dean Crooks of Nampa, Idaho where she was raised with her older siblings.

Dian was drawn to the arts early in her life. At 10 years-old, Dian found inspiration through dance at skating competitions at the Nampa Rollerdrome and by watching traveling dance troupes. At age 18, Dian's interests led her to pursue modern dance. On her own, she flew to New York City and became part of the Circle Dance Theater from 1959-1962. At the dance theater, Dian met and fell in love with Alan D. Mannion. They married in New York City in 1961. Dian gave birth to three cherished children Dion, Dawn, and Daniel.

As a single mother in the 70s, Dian raised her children with much love and resourcefulness. She was absolutely adored by her three kids, they had a very loving home and a tight bond, with Dian at the helm of the family. Dian was a fun-loving, vibrant person who was always caring for others. Her kindness and support for all living things was ever present. Even while struggling to make ends meet, she cared for stray cats and dogs and had many beloved pets over the years including a cockatoo.

To support her family, Dian worked at many jobs. She was a secretary, a commercial painter, a housekeeper, and a welder! Dian was a jack-of-all trades, incredibly artistic and a wonderful mother. When her children grew older, Dian found a passion for working at the State Hospital West in Nampa. She cared for residents there where her accepting and loving nature provided excellent care.

Dian had many creative hobbies, she loved to write stories and poetry, and to make sculptures of clay and metal. She loved to garden and grew the best tomatoes. She loved to create things and was always working on something. Dian had great style and was young at heart, as one of her t-shirts read "I'm not old, I'm just a recycled teenager!"

Dian was a proud grandmother to her three grandchildren (Christian and Alan Mannion, and Waylon Walsh), and an equally proud great grandmother to (Alexus, Melody Anne, Dasan, and Jackson).

Her son Dion was her supporter and guardian through the last years of her life and has been a steady and reliable source of humor, protection and love. Dian's strength and spirit lives on in the lives of her children and extended family. Everyone who met Dian and spent time with her liked her and found her a unique and vibrant soul. Her ability to cherish life, laughter and love will stay with us all.

Dian has joined her brother John Crooks, sisters Becky Fogle and Barbra Edwards. She is survived by her son Dion Mannion (ex-wife, Lori), daughter Dawn Mannion-Walsh, (husband, Dave) and son Dan Mannion, as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our family sends much love and gratitude to the Keystone hospice team, and the staff at the Swan Falls Assisted Living in Kuna, Idaho. A private memorial service will be held with the family.