Rhona Faith Chandler Diehl 25 May 2017 Rhona was the youngest of eight girls. Her parents farmed in a small Cotswold village called Dowdeswell in Gloucestershire, where she was born on 3 March 1925. It was not ideal for a farmer to have eight girls and no sons in the 1920's England! Rhona went to school in a neighbouring village called Andoversford. On completion of her schooling she had thoughts of becoming a teacher, and took a training position in the local school. In her late teens World War Two was in full swing, and she moved to London to work for the British Government in a secretarial role. While in London she met her late husband Bill, and they were married on 16 October 1947 at Dowdeswell Church. After the war Rhona and Bill moved to Germany, where Rhona worked for the U.S. Army. In the late fifties and after her time in Germany, she settled with Bill in America, and worked for the Washington Army National Guard at Camp Murray from 9 May 1960 to 31 October 1988. Rhona was proud of her work in the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office of Washington, where she scrutinized every purchase, which earned her "The Golden Fist Award." Her retirement celebration was attended by over 95 people, including many high-ranking officers. Upon retirement, Rhona devoted her time to her causes and her garden. Rhona was a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, and followed both local and national politics with the same tenacity she brought to her work for the National Guard. Rhona was also an ardent environmentalist and birder. She spent much of her time volunteering and supporting various organizations, including the NRDC, Tacoma Audubon Society, Friends of Nisqually NWR, Lakewood Historical Society, and the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County. Always energetic and enthusiastic, Rhona is survived by four nephews and five nieces. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. A service for Rhona F. Diehl will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home, 253-584-0252, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, on Saturday, 24 June 2017, at 10:00 am. A reception will follow in the Willow Room at Mountain View. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Tacoma Audubon Society, 2917 Morrison Rd W, University Place, WA 98466.
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