Diana "Diane" Lee (Abbey) Cowen was born May 24th, 1948, as a twin, at the family home near Mountain View, MO. She was number eleven of fourteen children to Emmitt Lawrence and Frieda Opal (Belew) Abbey. She grew up with siblings, cousins, neighbors, and even some nieces and nephews playing along the banks of Wolf Creek. Diane moved away from the country, yet the country never left Diane. 

After a long fight with chronic illnesses, she passed away peacefully, September 29th, 2023 at her home in Springfield, MO. Her final wish was to “go home” comfortably and that she did surrounded by love, laughter of family and the smell of home cooked food. She entertained us all up to the very end!

Diane was the proud and loving mother of Sherrie Lynn Hunt who proceeded her in death. 

In 1977 Diane married Dennis Cowen in Baytown, Texas. Together they enjoyed their children  Charles, Michael, Pete, and Sherrie. Moving from Texas, to Woodward, OK and finally to Fair Grove, MO they shared many enjoyable memories and endeavors before he passed away unexpectedly in 1992.  

Diane’s death released her from suffering in this life and joined her with all of those who went before her. Parents Emmitt and Frieda; in-laws Oliver and Auda Cowen; husband Dennis;  daughter Sherrie; son Charles; sister Mary Koonce; brothers Bill, Jack, James “Jim”, Joe, Jerry, Ronald “John”, and Larry “Mike” Abbey;  brother-in-laws Wesley Koonce, Carl Hinds, Edward Hutchins; and sister-in-laws Billie Jean Abbey, Mabel Abbey, Shirley Abbey, and Theresa Hermes all proceed her in death. Also proceeding her in death was the other half of her heart, her twin sister, Delores. What a reunion that must have been! 

Diane is survived by her sisters Patrice Brown and Wanda King; brothers Rodney (Gail) Abbey and Steve Abbey (Sheila); sister-in-laws Pat Abbey, LaRee Abbey, Sandy Abbey, Ann Abbey; many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loving Cowen family in Texas; sons Michael Cowen (Shannon) and Pete Cowen (Stephanie); daughter-in-law Tracey Cowen; sister-in-laws Cindy Cowen (Gary) Porter and Cathy Hutchins; brother-in-laws Jerry (Shirleen) Cowen and Bobby Hermes; 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. 

Diane graduated from Mountain View High School in 1966. She created laughter throughout her childhood days with the way she saw life and the orneriness she shared with Delores. Diane continued to make others laugh and made numerous unforgettable memories until her very last days. Many called her one of the funniest ladies they knew! Often times it was said, they broke the mould when she was made.

Diane was a caregiver and saw it as important to help others. She enjoyed looking after her “little brothers”, babysitting great nieces and nephews, caring for siblings and her daughter in their last days. Additionally, she opened her home to many over the years. 

Diane’s passing leaves an emptiness in the lives of those surviving her which only memories can begin to fill. She will be remembered affectionately for all of the laughs, those one of a kind facial expressions, life instructions, and her true love for family and friends. To know Diane was to love her, and love her we did!

Private graveside services will be held November 5, 2023 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Mountain View, Mo.