Diane Virdelle Caviezel

Diane Virdelle Gates Caviezel was born in Mt. Vernon, WA on January 24,1932 to Virdelle Ora (Hobbs) Gates and Edgar Vincent Gates. She grew up Concrete, WA and graduated from Concrete High School. She attended Bob Jones University, SPU, and graduated from the University of Washington.

In the Fall of 1954 her first year teaching she met the love of her life Leo Caviezel. They met when she went on one of her famous home visits to the Grab household in South Prairie. She was overwhelmed by the 9 Grab girls sitting at the dinner table along with their Uncle Leo who wanted to meet the new Home Ec teacher. Six months later, on April 16, 1955 they were married at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Buckley by Father Horan. They moved across the river to Enumclaw where Diane taught Home Ec at Enumclaw High School until she retired in 1987. For several years following her retirement she continued to substitute teach (mainly in elementary).

Diane and Leo raised their 2 children Nancy Diane and Timothy Leo in Enumclaw. They loved spending time with all their family (they had 81 nieces and nephews) and a large circle of friends, going to sporting events (especially Husky football), and attending church at Sacred Heart.

In her later years, she loved spending time at the Enumclaw Senior Center, playing the piano for her friends and different groups and churches, and most importantly spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Caviezel (Brian Carlson) of Federal Way and their children Serena and Pippi Carzel; son, Tim Caviezel (Michelle) of Enumclaw and their children, Cameron Caviezel, Kendra Rodarte (Kyle) and Nathan Kirkpatrick (Reva Miller); her great grandchildren, Maverick and Mavis Rodarte & Malachi, Mathias and Lorelei Kirkpatrick; her sister, Bertha Bridge (Bill) of Concrete; her sister-in-law, Phyllis Steelsmith (Pete) of South Prairie; and too many nieces and nephews to list. Along with so many special friends, neighbors, colleagues, and students.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Leo and her brother, Douglas Gates.

She passed away peacefully on Friday October 16, 2020 at her beloved granddaughter Kendra’s home in Steilacoom. In June she had a horrific accident at the nursing home she was in which ultimately led to her death. She was able to spend her final weeks surrounded by her loved ones. She was loved by so many and will truly be missed as the matriarch of her family. RIP Nana.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, there will be a private family service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Enumclaw followed by interment at Enumclaw Evergreen Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life will be held for Diane at a later date. Please share a memory on the tribute wall.