Diane Marie Kirkpatrich, 64, died at her home in Oak Harbor on May 5, 2006. Born in Crystal City, Texas on Oct. 21, 1941, to Anthony John and Marie Lorraine (Thesenvitz) Dragavon, she was raised in the Seattle area. Moving with her parents to Ketchikan, Alaska and then to Anacortes, Diane graduated from Anacortes High School.

Following high school, Diane volunteered with the USO in Oak Harbor before beginning her longtime career with NAS Whidbey Civil Service. She began work as a clerk/typist and advanced through the ranks. She was transferred for a time to Washington, D.C. and the Pentagon, LeMesa and San Diego, before returning to Whidbey. She served as executive secretary to many of the commands, including the Fleet Admiral. Her final position was as Protocol Specialist for the Commanding Officer, NAS Whidbey. Following her retirement, she served as a volunteer and staff member for the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Diane was a member of the Association of Naval Aviators and the Navy League of Oak Harbor. She enjoyed playing the piano, plants and knitting. She was a friend and mentor to many young rising naval officers and counted several admirals as her friends. Her passion for the last few years was collecting the works of her granddaughter Peri Anna Kirkpatrick-Berg, the love of her life.

Diane is survived by two children, Kelley Marie Kirkpatrick-Berg and husband Eric and Michael John Kirkpatrick, and one granddaughter Peri Anna all of Mount Vernon. Also surving are six brothers and sisters: Patricia Solt of Oak Harbor; John Dragavon of Snohomish, Lynn Cook of Auburn, David Dragavon of Milwaukee, Ore.; Kris Dragavon of Tennessee and Lorraine Dragavon of Williamsburg, Va.

Memorial services for Diane Kirkpatrick will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel at 2 p.m. Friday, May 11 with Capt. James McKenzie, USN (Ret) officiating. Cremation will be held with private family burial to follow at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.