Dianne (Leatham) Hislop

Dianne Leatham Hislop

Born December 5, 1938- Passed Away October 2, 2022

Our beloved Wife, Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, and Friend passed away peacefully at home October 2, 2022 surrounded by her family.

Mom was born to Robert Alexander Leatham and Grace Hutchinson Leatham on December 5, 1938 in Los Angeles, California. Mom had one brother, Michael Leatham.

Mom is survived by her loving husband Charles “Chick” Hislop, Five children: Elynn (Mark) Housley, Lance (Teresa) Hislop, Jill (Kurt) Gibson, Chris (Sallie) Hislop, Kim (Andy) Meikle. She is survived by 18 grandkids and 2 great grand kids.

She is preceded in death by her daddy (Bob), mom (Grace), brother (Mike), and granddaughter (Makayla).

Mom grew up in Ogden, Utah. She attended the local elementary and junior high schools. Mom performed in plays in school. She graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1957. During high school, she met Chick Hislop. Chick and Dianne dated while Chick was attending Weber Junior College. She was engaged as a senior in high school.  Mom and Dad were married September 4, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple. Mom loved her husband, children, spouses of her children, and grandchildren intensely. She had a special connection with each grandchild.  She had a sincere interest in her family's happiness and well being. 

Mom graduated from Utah State in Elementary Education and taught school at Mound Fort Middle school for years. She influenced many students with her upbeat personality and her love of teaching and education.

Mom answered to several different names or titles throughout her life.  Mom, Grandma, Dianne, Mrs. Hislop, and The Admiral, just to name a few. 

Dad could not have had a better wife. They were a great match and they balanced each other out perfectly. Dad was gone a lot with his job and mom was always supportive of dad and his goals and his desire to be successful at his job.

Given the unique job Dad had (College Coach), Mom was able to influence hundreds of young men over a span of 50 years, acting as a mother figure for them.  Many of these athletes still have a relationship with Mom.

As a young family we would take trips across the country in the Chevy Malibu while pulling the Blue-Jay pop-up Trailer. Mom made birthdays for her kids a big deal. Because of everyone's busy schedules, the Hislop family tradition was to have a full-fledged birthday party at 6 AM with presents, birthday cake, and ice cream, so the whole family could be together. 

For Mom’s 80th birthday in 2018, there was a large celebration for her. Loved ones from her life came to honor her. This group included childhood friends, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and many of the athletes she loved and mothered. As people spoke about mom, they mentioned her contagious laugh and her beautiful smile.  Mom was fun!!! One of the speakers said that Mom has the gift to talk to you and make you feel like you are the only person in the room.  Mom had that gift. She would ask questions and make you feel special.

Mom was a good sport.  She has some great sayings and there are several inside jokes we had as a family over the years that mom would just roll with such as, “Who really threw the pie in the face of the policeman?”  “Mom, how old were you when you got married?” Her answer every time “Almost twenty.” When we, her kids, would get sassy as teenagers, one of mom's great comebacks was, “Don’t challenge me. I have a college education!”  And of course, one of her favorites was “Honestly!” 

Her quick wit and ability to smile made her loved and respected by those who knew her. There were many memories of mom almost crying because she was laughing so hard at the silliness that was going on. 

Mom’s last few years were spent with her in a great deal of pain. However, talking to her, you would not know this. Her positive attitude, beautiful smile, and contagious giggle brought joy to everyone around her.

Mom had a testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She enjoyed going to the temple when she could physically attend, but when she couldn’t, that never wavered her testimony. She would refer to her patriarchal blessing frequently as it said, “It will be your time when you are called home.” Mom thought that could have meant she would not see all of her kids grow up, but it gave both Mom and Dad great peace knowing when it’s Mom's time, it would not be second guessed.

Our family would like to give a special thanks to Inspiration Hospice, Paige, Ashley, and Alisha for their wonderful care and concern for Mom.  Mom, we love you and will miss you, but we will see you soon! 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2022 at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., where viewings will be held on Thursday, October 6th from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday prior to the service from 9:40 to 10:40 a.m. Interment, Huntsville City Cemetery.

Dianne’s service will be live streamed and can be watched by scrolling to the bottom of her obituary page at www.myers-mortuary.com. the day of her service and will remain there indefinitely.

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