Helen Diane Rooney

Helen Diane Rooney, 68, of Spokane, MO., passed away June 16 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO. Diane was born in San Bernardino, CA. in 1943, and was married to Boniface Rooney in 1961. They had two sons, James and Thomas. Diane was a loving and generous mother whose heart was broken by the untimely passing of her eldest son Jimmy in 2002. She was a brave cancer survivor before being taken by complications following a stroke. Until the end, Diane was quick to smile, and always gentle. She easily made friends everywhere she went. Diane was a civil servant at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, CA. for 27 years. She always performed her duties with the highest commendations, and was proud of the fact that her career was spent in top secret programs. She retired from the Department of Defense in 1994 when Norton closed. She retrained to work in health care before moving to Missouri to be closer to her aging parents, Ruth, and Alexander Smith of Highlandville, who passed away in 2006 and 2007. Diane is survived by her son; her brother Bob Smith and his wife Charis; her nephew Mitch and his wife Teresa; and her nieces Kim Howard, and Kerie Bice. Memorial services were held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Adams Funeral Home in Nixa, Missouri. Visitation will be 10 AM until services. Diane will be dearly missed.