Diane Marie Walker

Born September 4, 1941, in Marquette, the daughter of Vincent Bernard and Ernestine Mary (Versailles) McCarthy, Diane was raised on Blemhueber Street in South Marquette. When she was in the middle of her junior year at Bishop Baraga High School, the family moved to St. Ignace where Diane finished her high school education, graduating in 1959 from LaSalle High School. It was in St. Ignace that Diane met the love of her life, Ronald Walker, and together the couple was united in marriage on October 15, 1960 in St. Ignace.

Diane attended college and was employed as a dental assistant for a time. Ron and Diane made their home in St. Ignace, and when their children were older, she worked as a telephone operator with Bell Telephone. She then joined her husband in partnership with Walker Furniture in St. Ignace. Throughout the years, the couple approached life not only as a married couple and business partners, but as best friends.

In 1975, the couple relocated to Marquette and founded Walker Furniture which was located at the Crossroads location. There, they supplied their customers with quality furniture, decorating advice, and sound service, until their retirement in 1996. In their leisure Diane and Ron spent ten years wintering in Florida and traveling to every state in the union, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. Diane was a devout Catholic who lived her faith and was a member of St. Peter Cathedral. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and on her last St. Patrick’s Day was presented an Irish dinner by daughter, Rhonda, and a glass of Guinness, and then quietly entered eternity later the following day.

Diane was a great cook who always had sweets available for family and friends, and kept all her friendships throughout the years, a wonderful circle of friends she treasured. However, her greatest and enduring passion was her family. The children, grandchildren, and especially, Ron, brought her the greatest joy and fulfillment.

Diane is survived by the love of her life for 64 years, Ron; her children, Rhonda Walker-Winter, Dennis (Joan) Walker, and Colleen (Tim) Sova; her grandchildren, Benjamin (Amanda) Winter, Vincent Winter, Madilynn (Kirk) Adikes, Steven Walker, Joseph (Shelly) DeClark, Libby DeClark, Haley (Ross) Becker, and Haden Sova; great-grandchildren, Avery, Everly, Taylor, Hunter, Parker, Jagger, and Henry; brothers, Dennis McCarthy, Bob (Kristine) McCarthy, Rick (Joan) McCarthy, and David McCarthy; brother-in-law, David (Nancy) Walker; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Diane was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Debbi Walker.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the Bishop’s Room located at St. Peter Cathedral on Monday, March 25, beginning at 10:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 11:00 am with Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber, pastor, as celebrant. A Celebration of Life will follow in the reception room located at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Interment will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com

The Irish have a saying, “May neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and Heaven accept you.”