Diane Hess

Diane Hess, age 78, of Grants Pass, died May 29, 2023 at Countryside Village Lodge.

Diane was born August 28, 1944 in Portland, Oregon to Frank & Gertrude Putman.  After moving to Eagle Point where her dad ran Butte Creek Mill, she graduated from Eagle Point High School in 1962. She then attended Southern Oregon State College in Ashland (now SOU) where she received a Master’s degree in Education.  In 1966 she moved to Grants Pass where Diane taught general music for Grants Pass School District 7 from 1974 until her retirement in 2000.  Most of those years were spent at Redwood Elementary School.

Diane was a member of First Baptist Church.  While growing up, she led music for her church and later served as a Sunday school teacher. She was also a member of Josephine County Community Concerts where she volunteered many hours.  Diane played the accordion and played with a band that marched in one of the first Disneyland parades.  She performed in several Oregon State Accordion Festivals.

Her hobbies included painting, playing accordion, and gardening.

Survivors include her husband, Gary Hess; daughter Krista DeBolt and son Ryan Hess all of Grants Pass; sister Celia Ashby of Jacksonville; and four grandchildren.

Remembrances may be made in Memory of Diane Hess to the Redwood Foundation for Education (redwoodforeducation.org) redwoodforeducation.org.

A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., June 3, 2023 at Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center (PAC).  Private interment will be at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens.