Shirley Diana (Blakeman) Marlow, age 93, passed away March 4, 2025, at Hospice House of Laramie, surrounded by her daughters Robyn and Kim. Diana was born January 25, 1932, at Ivinson Memorial Hospital, the 8th of eight children to Hal and Grace (Chamberlin) Blakeman of Rock River, WY. She grew up in the company of her parents and siblings, William, Patricia, Rodney, Richard, and Stanley. She loved growing up in a small town with a large family and often shared stories of the adventures and events that took place during her life there, especially during the Depression. Diana received her formal education at Rock River High School, graduating in 1950, while being employed at Max’s Café and the grocery store to help make ends meet during those challenging times. In 1949, a junior in high school, she was selected as the first candidate from Rock River High, to go to Girls State, a highlight from her high school years.

In 1951, Diana married Samuel J. Marlow and settled in Laramie where they began raising their family in a small home on Pine Street where she always had the fondest memories. In 1964, they moved to a small acreage in West Laramie with their children, Clayton, Kimberly, Robyn, and in 1969 blessed with another son Michael. She lovingly opened her home to help raise her niece and nephew, Claudia and Ben Marlow. This was home to many 4-H and FFA animals. Diana was an avid gardener, raising beautiful flowers and vegetables, which she dried and canned, along with raising chickens and selling eggs. Diana generously donated time as a 4-H leader, FFA and Campfire chaperone, and church camp cook. She was a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star, initiated in 1955. In 1984 Diana joined the kitchen staff at the newly built Linford Elementary School for 5 years before joining the staff at the Central kitchen, then Beitel school for 11 years, retiring in 1992. Her retirement years were spent wintering with her husband, Sam, in their second home in Yuma, AZ., enjoying her grandchildren, great grands, numerous friends, family, neighborhood children, many who will remember her for her generous cookie drawer, homemade pies, and expressing comments to her husband, “She’s a keeper Sam, she’s a keeper.” Her home was always filled with family, friends, food, love, and laughter. She will be dearly missed by all whose lives were touched by this gentle soul.

She is preceded in death by her husband Sam, parents Hal and Grace Blakeman; siblings Donna, William (Billie), Robert, Patricia, Rodney (MaryLou), Richard (JeanAnne), and Stanley; her nephews, James (Rodney) and Dick (Richard); her niece Cheryl (Patricia); Son-in-law Bob Edwards (Robyn), Bob Jenkins (Kimberly); daughter-in-law Lynn Marlow (Clayton).

She is survived by her children Clayton, Kimberly (Jerry), Robyn, and Michael (Angie); 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Twila Blakeman; and Betty Castleberry.

A Celebration of Diana will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, St. Jude’s Children Hospital and/or the Hospice House of Laramie.