Elizabeth Dianne Gurney

1947 - 2025

Elizabeth Dianne Gurney, resident of Belen, New Mexico was born on August 11th, 1947 in Pensacola, FL to Oscar and Catherine Anderson. She passed away in Albuquerque, NM surrounded by family on November 21st, 2025. She was a member of the Church of Christ. She was affectionately known as Mom, Dianne, Di, Nan-na, and Nanny Di.

Dianne was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Gurney Jr. of Belen, NM, her parents Oscar and Catherine Anderson of Pensacola, FL, parents-in-law Bob and Frances Gurney of Hemet, CA, and sister-in-law Kathy Gurney of Van Nuys, CA.

Dianne is survived by her son, Robert (Rob) Anderson Gurney of Belen, NM, daughter Melissa (Missy) Catherine Johns and son-in-law Brian Johns of Albuquerque, NM, granddaughter Whitney Hawkins of Virginia Beach, VA, grandson Devyn Gurney-Johns, of Albuquerque, NM, and step-granddaughter Kayla Johns of Albuquerque, NM.

Dianne was born and raised in Pensacola, FL and graduated from Escambia High School in Pensacola in 1965. She attended Pensacola Junior College from 1966 to 1968, studying Early Childhood Development. She spent time working in Pensacola as a Substitute School Teacher.

She met her husband, Bob, at Church when he was stationed in Pensacola, FL while in the Navy. Bob and Dianne were married in a beautiful backyard wedding at her childhood home in Pensacola, FL on Chestnut St in 1969. Dianne had her first child, a son, Rob, in 1970 while still living in Pensacola. Shortly after Rob was born, her husband Bob was honorably discharged from the Navy and they moved to Hemet, CA where Bob's parents, Bob and Frances Gurney were residing. Dianne's second child, a daughter, Missy, was born in Hemet, CA in 1971. A few years later, Bob would reenlist in the Navy and they would embark on a journey of a military lifestyle, moving every few years. This journey would find them living all over the United States in the states of Washington, Illinois, Oregon, California, and Washington D.C. Bob retired from the Navy while stationed in Washington D.C., and he and Dianne found themselves moving to New Mexico, where Bob took a Civil Service Position at Kirtland Air Force Base. They settled in Belen in 1995 and remained in Belen until the time of their passing.

Dianne was primarily a stay-at-home Mom, but worked as a CNA for short periods of time over the years and eventually became a professional Nanny, which is a career she absolutely loved. She cared for several children as a Nanny, which she dearly cherished, and spoke so lovingly of them over the years.

Dianne was a wonderful cook, bringing her southern roots to all the wonderful meals she prepared. Her kitchen was her domain and she could always be found with a kitchen towel over her shoulder, shooing the dogs out of the kitchen because when she was in the kitchen, she "meant business."

Dianne was a quiet, reserved, and pure soul. She took pride in caring for her husband, children, grandchildren, pets, and home. Dianne also loved to go camping. She and Bob were avid campers and loved to get away to be in nature and decompress from the hustle and bustle of life. Dianne was a christian woman and lived faithfully by the word of the Gospel. She will be dearly missed by her family and will be warmly remembered by all the loving memories she has left with us. We love you Mom and Nan-na!