The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

September 27, 1938 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Jose and Isabel Llorens, welcomed Diana del Carmen Llorens Cintron into the world. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Diana naturally loved sandy beaches, water, and sun. She shared many stories of places and tasty foods of her beautiful Puerto Rican island. Diana grew up in Santurce, Puerto Rico attending Catholic schools. She would often tell her family stories of the strict nuns and the crazy nonsense she and her friends would cause them.

After high school and attending secretary school, Diana settled in California. It was there she met a handsome young man named Brian Black. Story has it they met at a pool party in their apartment complex. February 21, 1964 the couple ran off to Vegas and had a double wedding with friends.

Diana and Brian had two daughters, Brenda and Rhonda, and in 1973 the family of four moved from California to Oregon. It was an adjustment for Diana to go from sunny southern California to the rainy cooler climate of Jefferson, Oregon, but she took it in stride and busied herself with their home and two children. In 1977 the family packed up and moved again, this time to Crookston, Minnesota. This was a huge temperature change for Diana. Needless to say, it only took two years before the family moved back to the Pacific Northwest settling in Dayton, Washington.

While in Dayton and her children in school, Diana took a job at the Dayton School District. It was here her native language, Spanish, was helpful. Diana was a para educator and taught in the ESL program helping many students learn English. Mrs. Black, as she was called, loved her students and they brought her happiness. June of 1994 brought Diana one of her biggest joys in life. Diana's first granddaughter was born. All it took was one look at Abby, and she knew what she wanted to do. Diana left the school district to look after her granddaughter. Five years later she was blessed with her second joy, Ally. Taking the new name Nana meant more to her than anything in the world. She was proud to be Nana and thought it was the gift one gets after raising their children.

Over the years, if they were not with their grandchildren, Diana and Brian loved to travel and visit family. They took many trips in the motorhome to visit their daughter, Rhonda, in Florida, and the Black family in Minnesota. Diana loved to visit family at Grace Lake. The Black family always provided lots of love and laughter. Diana will always be remembered as one who loved with her full heart. She loved dancing, laughing, and being with family and friends. Diana passed away peacefully at her home Thursday, October 19, 2023. Diana is survived by her husband, Brian Black, two daughters Brenda and (Tony Henderson) and Rhonda Spath, grandchildren: Linda "Abby" Chapman and (Owen Wenker) and Ally and (Eric) Harder, Cougar Henderson, Dain and (Kaity) Henderson, great granddaughter Dallas Henderson, and great grandson Eric Andrew Harder. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Blue Mountain Heritage Society. A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, at the American Legion beginning at 1:00 p.m. Please consider wearing bright or tropical attire in honor of Diana.

Corbeill Funeral Home in Dayton is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com.