Diane Elaine JOSS

JOSS, Diane Elaine Nov 14, 2025 On Friday afternoon, November 14, 2025, Diane Elaine Freeman Joss entered eternity. She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Eugene and Frieda Freeman, her sisters, Betty (Rocky) Ronquillo and Virginia Sue Freeman, along with many other family and friends. After twelve long years of progressive memory loss consistent with Alzheimer's, she is restored to her beautiful and vivacious self. Diane was born in Seattle, Washington, on July 25, 1942. The third of four daughters, she was always in the kitchen with her mother, cooking and baking for the family. She also loved playing with King, the family dog, and pestering her older sisters. She attended Oak Lake Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, and Lincoln High School. She enjoyed playing clarinet in the band and dancing at the YMCA. Her sister, Lynda, remembered she had "smooth moves" on the dance floor. After graduating high school, she enrolled at the University of Washington to continue her education. She took a job at the UW Dental school as a receptionist, and while there, she set her eyes on an attractive dental student. Even though they were not supposed to date (per school policy), a little nudge from a future relative encouraged Peter Joss to ask Diane out. The two were a match and married on February 10, 1964. They moved to Spokane soon after the wedding, and as Peter started his dental practice, Diane started her career as the best Homemaker ever! She became a mother to four children: Joe, Jon, Jim, and Jill – and these four kept her very busy. She always made sure dinner was on the table, uniforms were cleaned, lunches made, and cookies in the cookie jar (not only for her family, but for the neighborhood kids, friends and Postman as well). Affectionately known as both Mama Joss and Lady Di to many, she was a spicy, funny, loving, witty, and friendly woman to all. She was incredibly athletic and enjoyed bowling, skiing, tennis, golf, and walking. She was also a fierce competitor (those who golfed, played tennis, bowled and/or even walked with her knew that). She was also an artist. Her chosen medium was fabrics, and she sewed all of Jill's dresses, quilted beautiful blankets for many of her family members, and entered her work into fairs and contests around the PNW. She also loved crafting with her many beloved friends (card making, scrapbooking, holiday decorations, etc.). You also could hear the clicking of her needles as she crocheted sweaters for Peter. Her art is on display in almost all of her family's homes in one way or another. She also enjoyed utilizing her talents for her church family at Westminster Congregational. In her later years, she and Peter enjoyed traveling to visit family, attending Summit Church (worship music was her favorite), and gardening. Diane will be greatly missed by her cherished family. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Peter; her children and their spouses: Joe and Stephanie Joss, Jon and Allison Joss, Jim and Louise Joss, and Jill Royston; her grandchildren and their spouses: Alex Joss, Andy and Heather Joss, Jason Joss, Hannah Joss, Justin and Khadija El Karfi-Joss, Megan Joss, Ashley Joss, Zach Joss, Paige Royston, Nicholas Joss, and Payton Royston. She is also survived by her sister, Lynda Wilson; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. A celebration of life for Diane will be held at Summit Church NW (1801 E. 29th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99203) on February 7, 2026, at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to the Alzheimer's Association.