Eugenia "Diane" Imel

Eugenia Diane Imel, 87, died quietly at home in Wilsonville after a brief bout with cancer. The daughter of Thayne and Genevieve (Johnson) Smith, Diane attended Beaverton High School and Lewis and Clark College, earning a degree in art history. She went on to teach music and fine arts in Portland area high schools as an artist in residence. After a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 30, she became a vocal advocate for people with physical limitations and for social justice. She served on the Oregon Disability Commission, hosted two radio programs on Oregon Public Broadcasting, and more recently served on the DEI committee for the city of Wilsonville. She was preceded in death by her husband Lon Imel; son Kevin Imel; daughter Jodi Imel; and brother Thayne Smith. She leaves two granddaughters, Kati Imel; Elli Imel; and a nephew, Steven Smith. A Celebration of Life will be held at Bethel Congregational Church at 5150 SW Watson Avenue in Beaverton on November 15 at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ (bethelbeaverton.org), where Diane was a lifelong member.