December 04, 1967 - May 14, 2022
Diana Marie Bledsoe Gaither passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at her home in Topeka, Kansas. Diana was born in Beeville, TX, December 4, 1967, the daughter of Susan Bledsoe Gaither and Max Gaither while her father was in pilot training.
Diana is survived by her father; her brother Robert Gaither; her aunts Charlotte Adair and Peggy (David Griffith) Adams, cousins Lee (Paul) Baker, Jeff (Elaine) Adair, Mike Bledsoe, Mac (Barbara) Bledsoe, Dick Perkins, John Perkins, Katie (Vaughn) Olson, great aunts Juanita Keeling and Janice (Tom) Crissman; and many other close second cousins. Her mother, Susan Gaither, passed away in March, 2020.
At Topeka West High School she excelled at basketball and tennis and was inducted in the Topeka West Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. At Kansas University she played varsity tennis. Her sophomore year she was voted most improved player. She graduated in 1990 with degrees in Communications and Spanish. Her masters in Marketing was from KU.
Diana worked for Payless ShoeSource in Topeka, Waddell & Reed, Inc. in Kansas City, then was Vice President for Communications for Franklin Templeton Investments in San Mateo, California. She worked briefly for Chevron before moving back to Topeka. She served on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of San Mateo and the Angie Barry Run committee in Topeka. She loved her friends and relatives and was generous with her gifts and time attending many sports events and activities.
A memorial service will be held at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka, KS 66614, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 4:30 pm followed by a gathering for family and friends until 6:30 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka, 550 SE 27th St., Topeka, KS 66605.