Diane Elise Pilon Nowlan

Diane Elise Pilon Nowlan, age 87, of the Villas of Hollybrook in East Peoria, died peacefully at OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home on Wed., Oct. 9, 2024.
She was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, 1937, in Peoria Heights to French-Canadian parents, Viateur L. Pilon and Eleanor [Perreault] Pilon. She was one of ten children.
Surviving siblings include Estelle Pilon of Phoenix, Jerry [Katie] Pilon of Peoria, and Cecile [Russ] Langford of Milwaukee.
Robert, Armand, Annette Maibach, Jay, Ron, and Bernard Pilon preceded Diane in death. Diane attended the Peoria Academy of Our Lady HS and graduated in 1956.
Diane met her future husband, Wayne Nowlan, when he crashed a dance party at his apartment clubhouse one November evening. They were engaged the following Valentine's Day, and married at St. Thomas Church on June 6, 1970.
Two amazing sons, Matt [Sue] and Kevin [Erin] were born in subsequent years. She was so proud of them and their accomplishments! She has five talented grandchildren: Dylan, Riley, Louie, Sophie, and Penny. Diane so loved her grand kids! Diane leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends scattered across the country.
Diane was a faithful volunteer in the Catholic Church. She and Wayne led over 20 Marriage Encounter Teams. She was a Cursillo Rectora and sang in church choirs. Diane also was president of the Peoria Symphony Guild and served on the PSO Board. She and Wayne traveled the US and Canada as well as most European countries and toured Tunisia where Wayne served in the Peace Corps.
Diane's funeral will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16th at St. Ann Church at 1010 S. Louisa St. in Peoria.
Visitation will be at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM.
A private cremation burial will be held later at Springdale Cemetery.
Diane was a spiritual person, full of humor, and much loved by everyone she met. We all loved her smile! She will be greatly missed.
Friends and family can log onto the www.wrightandsalmon.com guestbook to share memories. Suggested Memorials are St. Ann Church and the Center for Prevention of Abuse.