Diane Sharon Collison Jones

Diane Sharon Collison Jones, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Attorney, and great friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on Monday, February 13, 2023.  Despite struggling with illness and years of chronic pain, Diane remained present, stoic, brave, and friendly.

Diane was born April 14, 1951 in Peterborough, England to her parents, George Gordon and Pauline Mary Collison. She was raised in Peterborough for the first five years of her childhood until her family emigrated to Salt Lake City, Utah in June of 1956 via the ocean liner, the SS Flaundre, entering through the New York Harbor Port of Entry. In March 1960, the family returned to Peterborough, this time on The Queen Mary.  In October 1960, on The Queen Elizabeth, the family made their final journey to Salt Lake City, Utah.  

Diane graduated from Granger High School in 1968 as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.  She attended the University of Utah where she graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science degree in History in 1972.  She resumed her education in 1976, graduating with her Juris Doctorate, and passing the bar exam in 1979.  

In the spring of 1972 Diane met Jack Lloyd Jones. Shortly after meeting, July 1972, Jack and Diane embarked on the adventure of a lifetime driving to Alaska on the ALCAN highway, where they spent 4 years living in Anchorage.  While there, Diane worked several jobs including serving as a Justice of the Peace, and a drilling company, where she cleaned and repaired tools for the oil field.  While in Alaska, she became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States on April 13, 1973, and she married Jack Lloyd Jones on July 1, 1973. 

In 1976, Jack and Diane returned to Salt Lake City, they bought a house in South Jordan.  Diane lived there for 44 years.  On September 3, 1979, Diane gave birth to her daughter, Amber Michelle Jones.  Owning a hobby farm,and having cows, horses, goats, pigs, cats, and dogs was something Diane enjoyed a great deal.  She loved providing the experience of country living to her daughter.  Jack and Diane were married for 19 years until their divorce in 1992.    

In 1990, Diane started her own practice as a Divorce and Civil Attorney.  She didn’t become an attorney with the dream of achieving wealth, but rather with a strong desire to help people in any socioeconomic bracket.  As a hardworking, dedicated attorney, she worked with strong convictions.  Her most defining professional traits were her sense of fairness and her generosity.  She was known for doing a lot of pro bono work.

After raising her daughter largely as a single mother, and working as an attorney for 31 years In April 2019, she moved to Preston, Idaho to be closer to her daughter.  She fully retired in June 2021.  Her retirement allowed her to enjoy the peace, and quiet of country living that Diane always desired.  She loved living in the middle of nowhere, sitting outside watching the sun set on her back porch.  The highlight of living in Preston, was the time spent with her granddaughter, Oakley.  Diane was the most loving and doting grandma, who particularly enjoyed reading and purple bear adventures with Oakley.

Diane had a brillant, sharp mind.  Her vocabulary was inspiring.  Grouchy at times, deep down, Diane had a heart of gold.  She was known for taking in “strays”, whether they were 2 or 4 legged.  Diane warmy embraced Amber’s former and current husbands as her own sons.   

Her most favorite hobby was taking care of animals and basking in the sun while maintaining her English-style garden. Diane had a voracious appetite for reading and could recite from memory almost any detail of history. She began every day by reading the newspaper and doing the crossword, while having her cup of tea.  She enjoyed an occasional cigar.  Attending movies in theaters was a favorite activity, as well as, watching television programs.  Diane outsmarted many opponents while playing poker for 10 years at The Three Alarm Saloon, making many friends and possible enemies.  

Diane is survived by her daughter, Amber Michelle Jones Waddoups (Tony),  granddaughter Oakley Diane Collison Waddoups, former son-in-law Raymond Terveen, sister Sandra Ehninger (Stephen),  brother Ian Collison (Jane ), two nieces, and one nephew.  She is also survived by her longtime, close friend, Steven Dinan.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, several dear friends, including her loving companion of several years, Reed Nelsen.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Diane’s name to the non-profit charity of your choice, even if that’s just paying it forward to yourself. As per her wishes, Diane was cremated.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. at Wheeler Historic Farm (Pavilion & West Lawn), 6351 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121. Light refreshments will be served.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

-No longer by our side but forever in our hearts!