Dianna "Di Di" Marie Hale

Dianna Marie Hale, Di Di, passed away at her home in Laguna Vista, Texas with cancer on Friday, November 10th, at the age of 63. She was surrounded by her dear cousins, John & Sally Nold, dear friend George “Buddy” Fox and sister, Jean Dopler.

Dianna was born May 28th, 1960 in Wellsville, Missouri.  Her childhood days were spent between Kansas and Missouri and after graduating from Mexico High School in 1978 she moved to Olathe, Kansas.  She obtained an associate’s degree in accounting from Johnson County Jr. College which led her to work with Hale Dobbins & Co., Inc. prepping tax returns.

She married Don “Christopher” Hale February 28th, 1984 and remained in Olathe, Kansas and formed their own company Chris Hale & Co.  She was vice president of Chris Hale & Co. until they sold in February 2014.  They had moved their business to Waxahachie, Texas in (1989) and met their dearest friend, Kendra Uban, who worked with them part time for many years during cost report time.  Kendra always brought joy and laughter to Dianna as well as Chris.

In December of 1991, Dianna and Chris built a home on 67 acres in Greenville, Texas.  Then, in 2009, they decided to purchase a 2nd home on South Padre Island, Texas where they spent many summer and winter vacations. After many years of hard work, they sold their business and retired to their condo on Gulf Blvd., South Padre Island, Texas in September of 2014.  Dianna always loved spending time in the sunshine, but her most favorite time in the sunshine was spent on the beach. Therefore, this was the perfect place to retire.  They made many happy and cherished memories at their condo on the beach with an open-door to family and friends. In 2016, Dianna and Chris decided to sell their condo on the beach to build their forever home in Laguna Vista, Texas.

Dianna loved to play golf, refinish projects, paint and stain, and doing some everyday gardening. Dianna was also known to love her red Irish Setters, all named Rikki and Rusty and her barn cat, Felix, who are all now meeting at the rainbow bridge. She had an eye for decorating and style. She would enjoy looking at magazines and copying the style to her home.  She volunteered at Whiskers resale shop for a time before Chris became ill with cancer. She drove him to MD Anderson in Houston for many years before his passing on February 3, 2021. Dianna enjoyed helping her family and friends whenever needed. She treasured time spent with her friends whether it was listening to music and dancing, attending an important fundraiser event or gala, having an intimate conversation, or simply just some one-on-one time. She always had a way of making everyone she knew feel important and special.

Dianna was preceded in death by her husband, Chris of 36 years.  Dianna is survived by her brother, Greg Hendricks of Columbia, Missouri and sister, Jean Dopler (husband Rodney) of Laguna Vista, Texas.  Her nieces, Abbi Dopler of Abilene, Texas, Presley & Isabella Dopler of Laguna Vista, Texas, Brady Dopler of Centralia, Missouri, Wendy Cooley of Centralia, Missouri and Joanna Hendricks of Lake St. Louis, Missouri.  Great nephew Wyatt Cooley of Fulton, Missouri and great niece Olivia Cooley of Columbia, Missouri, Special friends, David and wife Whitney Hale and daughters Vera and Olivia (her sunshine and full of life little ones that looked forward to visiting Di Di) of Denton, Texas, Allison Hale of Ennis, Texas, and Erin Pfaff of Lonetree, Colorado.

Celebration of Life will be held on November 26th from 1pm to 4pm at Jake’s, 2001 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, Texas 78597. Private burial will take in Olathe, Kansas, will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Harbor Hospice C/O Harbor Foundation P.O. Box 21463, Beaumont Texas 77720-1463 or on line at Harbor Foundation - Donate .