On October 27, 2025, Diana Ruth (Sanner) Francese passed away peacefully with family by her side. Born in Burbank, California, Diana spent her youth in Toms River, New Jersey. Inspired by John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High”, she moved west to Colorado in 1974. There she met the love of her life, Tom Francese, in 1978. They were soon married, and together they raised a family.

Diana was an avid Colorado history enthusiast and gave back to her community through years of volunteering at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, the Colorado Pioneers Museum, and the Colorado Springs Gazette Back Pages. An accomplished crafter and seamstress, she shared her skills and creativity with close friends. Her most recent joy was being “Meema” to her grandson, Korben.

Diana is survived by her loving husband, Thomas “Tom” Paul Francese; her children, Sarah Ann (Francese) Nejtek (Jacob “Jake” Nejtek), Eric Thomas Francese, and Renee Rose (Francese) Richards (J. Luke Richards); her grandson, Korben Gaius Nejtek; her sister, Cynthia Alice (Sanner) Cohan; and her nieces, Catherine Louise Cohan and Suzanne Elaine Cohan. Diana was preceded in death by her parents Edna Claire (Barnett) Sanner, and Sydney Newton Sanner; and her sister Janice Elaine (Sanner) Merriman.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations be made in her name to Care and Share Food Bank, the Pikes Peak Region Humane Society, or Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care. Diana’s family will hold a private remembrance; no public memorial is scheduled. 

A bright light in the lives of many, Diana will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. 

“The Colorado Rocky Mountain high
 I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky
 You talk to God and listen to the casual reply
 Rocky Mountain high”