Dian Quinn

Dian (Calton) Quinn, 71, passed away peacefully in Springfield on August 25, 2022 from complications while undergoing treatment for bone cancer. Dian was born on December 21, 1950 in Conway, Missouri, to Charles and Inez Calton, the oldest of their nine children. Having been born into a musical family Dian was always listening to music throughout her life. While Dian never publicly performed in the musical talents that her family displayed, she could be found singing and dancing while she worked throughout her life and had a keen ear for talent.
Dian was fully engaged in life, giving her utmost energy and commitment as a wife, a mother, and friend as well as being a Master gardener, an expert fly-fisherwoman, a talented clothing, jewelry and multi-craft maker, a wonderful cook, a loyal dog lover, a brilliant student of and throughout life and a superior household (and RV) manager, among many other remarkable qualities that came together in the truly beautiful person that she was, inside and out. There were few challenges in life that Dian could not approach from a thoughtful, generous, loving and tenacious perspective. Her ability to listen closely, apply her exceptional abilities compassionately and fairly arrive at the truth of any situation from growing a flower bulb, to landing a trout to embracing an extended, combined family are among the qualities most highly appreciated by those who knew and loved her unconditionally.
Her lived experience ranged from caring for her siblings and beloved children to dairy farming to making the Dean s list as an adult student at Missouri State, to extensive travel to Mexico and throughout the U.S. with her husband, Richard, often accompanied by members of their extended family. Married to Richard in 1992, they resided in Billings and Nixa, Missouri and Navarre, Florida before returning to Springfield where they once again established a welcoming home that was the centerpiece of many joyful family holidays, as well as hosting many memorable fishing experiences at Paradise Valley on the Roaring River.
A visitation to extend respects to Dian and join together in remembrance of a full but abruptly shortened life will be held on 24th of September at 1:00 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Harmony House, 3404 E. Ridgeview, Springfield, MO 65804 or Master Gardeners of Greene County, Springfield Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, MO 65804.
She is lovingly survived by her devoted husband, Richard Quinn, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Missouri State University; four children from a previous marriage, including Mark (Adam) Peirano and his children Charles, Andrew, Joseph, Theresa, Gregory, and Erin;
Julie West and her children Kristin, Jewell, and Zoe; Amanda Crider her children Jade, Alexus, Israel, Hope, Stella, Malachi; Traci Anderson and her three sons, Luke, Levi and Lincoln; as well as two step-children Shannon and Laura Quinn; Shannon s children Daniel and William Quinn and their families; and Laura s son, Zeno Quinn Doeleman. Among her survivors are eight siblings and their extended families. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Inez Calton; and step-son, Michael Quinn.