grave import

Obituary

Diana Louise Small 73, of Burlington, died peacefully on Friday, March 12, 2010, at Great River Hospice in West Burlington, surrounded by her family and friends. Born December 5, 1936, in Lindsay, Ontario, she was the daughter of Trevor McKee McLennan and Alwilda Lillian Grace McLennan (nee Martin). Diana graduated from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, with a bachelor's degree in biology in 1955, and a master's degree in physiology in 1960. On August 15, 1959, she married James Howard Small at St. James Anglican Church in Orillia, Ontario. Diana enjoyed a rich life full of family, friends, travel and civic involvement. She was a scientist at university, a mother, a homemaker and family magician, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and a preservationist. She had a deep and abiding affection for all of God's creatures. Family, friends and community were very important to her, and she spent much of her time supporting causes she believed in. Her joy of life, sense of humor, empathy and grace enriched all who knew her. She will be missed. Diana was actively involved with many organizations in the Burlington Community: the Crapo Park Foundation, The Riverfront Advisory Committee, The Heritage Trust, The Historical Society, The Fine Arts League, and the Sho-quo-quon Chapter of Iowa Questers. She also enjoyed being an active member of Christ Episcopal Church since moving to Burlington in 1979. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jim Small; her son, Stephen Small (Louise) of Kansas City; three daughters, twins Suzanne Small (Baker Vail) of Connecticut and Diana-Claire Small (Doug Dickson) of Chicago, and Patricia Small of Detroit; four grandchildren, Jackson James Small, Vojislav Ogarevic, Lazar Ogarevic, and Abigail Ogarevic; one sister, Ronwyn Ingraham of Maryland; one brother, Michael McLennan (Peggy) of Alberta; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Andrew McLennan Small. Funeral services for Diana Small will be at noon on Tuesday, 16 March, 2010, at Christ Episcopal Church, 623 N. 5th St. in Burlington, with the Rev. John Horn presiding. Burial will follow in Aspen Grove Cemetery, after which a reception will be at the church. The Small family will also host a memorial celebration. Diana often maintained that she was half Irish, half Scottish, and half English, and descended from a long line of sheep stealers; as well as being a descendent of the courtesan, Lady Hamilton. The memorial celebration will be at her family home, located at 1017 N. 4th St., from 7:00 p.m. Friends and neighbors are welcome at a typical Irish wake. Memorials may be directed to the Great River Hospice House, 1306 S. Washington Road, West Burlington, IA 52655, or to the Des Moines County Humane Society, P. O. Box 822, Burlington, Iowa 52601.