Diane M. Henley, 73, died Thursday, Feb. 23 in Modesto after an illness.
She was born and raised in San Francisco, the only child of Ruth and Manuel Ortiz-Argumedo. She was born while her father was serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. At age nine, she moved with her parents to Silver Springs, Nevada where they owned a general store. She attended grammar school and some high school in Fernley, where she was active on the drill team. She graduated from Reno High School in 1961 and attended University of Nevada, Reno.
While working one summer in Lake Tahoe she met her future husband, Bill. They married in 1962. Early in their marriage they lived in Colorado, and a few years later moved back to Bill’s hometown of Oakdale where they remained. They moved to The Stratford in Modesto in 2014.
Mrs. Henley worked in the field department for Hunt’s in Oakdale for several years. She left to work for the Stanislaus County Farm Services Agency, where she later served as interim director. After retiring from the FSA, she worked as an independent crop adjuster throughout Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties and later became a crop adjuster for NAU Country Insurance.
She and her husband were active supporters of their children in 4-H and FFA, taking them to exhibit at many horse, sheep, and cattle shows in several states. She was a 4-H leader for more than 20 years, serving most of those years as the community leader of Oakdale’s Sierra 4-H club, as well as the club’s sheep group leader. She was also an active member of the Oakdale Grange Hall #435 and served as an officer.
She is survived by her children, R. Quinn Henley of Galt; Dawn Henley (Brian) Carden of Manteca; and nephews, David and Robert.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Bill; and her parents.
A celebration of life will be held at 1p.m. on Friday, March 24 at Oakdale Memorial Chapel, 830 West F St. A reception will follow at the Bianchi Community Center.
Remembrances may be made to Oakdale Joint Unified School District (OJUSD), notating the Bill and Diane Henley Memorial 4-H/FFA Scholarship, 168 S. 3rd Ave. Oakdale, CA 95361.