Diane B. O'Grady

Diane B. O’Grady, 64 of Springfield, died at 4:15 am, Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at Moweaqua Rehabilitation and Health Center. She was born July 25, 1952 in Cleveland, OH to John D. and Ethel Kewley Bibbs. She married Patrick O’Grady on June 4, 1977 and he survives.

Also surviving are four sisters, Elizabeth (Norman) Ryan of Cleveland, OH, Lani Foster of Katy, TX, Laurie (Ken) Tucker of Houston, TX and Cynthia Elias of San Jose, CA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Marcia Bibbs.

Diane worked for the State of Illinois for over twenty-five years and was Assistant to the Controller of the Lottery. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Bradley University in 1974 and her Master’s in Public Administration from UIS in 1989.

Diane moved to Springfield on April 4, 1975, to be an Assistant Manager at the Boar’s Head restaurant. She met a handsome young bartender that day, Patrick. They both went to Bradley University, but never met. They both worked at Boar’s Head restaurant in Peoria, but never met. Until that day.

They talked during the shift, which became a bit flirtatious. After closing, they went to an employee party together. By the end of the night, there were shots of tequila, hand holding, and a little kissing. They married June 4, 1977, making June 4, 2017, their 40th anniversary.

Diane was a wonderful friend to everyone she met. If you were her friend, you had her loyalty and support without question, but it might also be accompanied by candid advice, if you were getting off track. Many of the people she met that day 42 years ago are still close friends.

Diane was genuinely nice. Though she had an accomplished career in state government, she was humble, and would not brag or exaggerate. People from all walks of life responded to that.

There is a short poem in the O’Grady family:
A friend is not a feller
Who is taken in by sham,
A friend is one who knows our faults,
And doesn’t give a damn.

This was supposed to be a year of big milestones.

April 4, 42nd anniversary of meeting.

June 4, 40th wedding anniversary.

July 25, 65th birthday, (now day of her service) An Alaska birthday cruise was being planned for the fall.

All of those plans changed March 5, when Diane suffered a stroke at home. She spent 80 days at Memorial Hospital in Springfield, including 3 weeks of in-hospital intensive rehabilitation. Diane could not swallow or speak, but she had her full intellect, personality, and sense of humor. She communicated by mouthing words, or writing notes. April 2, she wrote a note to her husband, “together ALWAYS”. She signed cards, and wrote notes to friends. She handled the difficulties of her situation with amazing grace. She rarely complained, and was always saying thank you to staff. Old friends were frequent visitors.

Diane moved to Moweaqua Rehabilitation and Health Center on May 24, where she died peacefully on July 11.

Diane had a favorite phrase she shared, “Let go, or be dragged.”

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, entertaining at home and playing with her beloved dogs (Sophie shown in the photo).

Memorial Gathering: 4-7 pm, Monday, July 24, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.

Memorial Service: 11 am, Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with Cindy Lash officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Protective League.