Diana Franchi

Diana June Franchi, 68, of Cape Coral, FL passed away peacefully on March 28, 2016 in Elmhurst, IL surrounded by family and friends. Diana was born on April 19, 1947 in Evanston to the late William and June (Grant) Martin.

Diana attended Glenbrook North High School, before attending Northern Illinois University as an education major. She helped manage her father’s local cafe, Country Maid Bakery, where she met her best friend and husband, Gary Steven Franchi Sr. They married on February 1, 1975. Diana was a loving and supportive wife of 41 years, working alongside her husband in all of their business endeavors.

Diana was an amazing and dynamic Christian woman who loved the Lord, and cared deeply for her family and friends. She was an avid reader and was fond of cooking and hosting parties. Her generous hospitality was known to many.

Of her pride and joys, she was most proud to be the mother of five sons. Her true passion was raising her boys into hard working, loyal men alongside her loving husband, who remained devoted to his marriage vows to the final minutes of her life. This love for family extended to her five daughter-in-laws, where she beamed at their weddings and welcomed each into the Franchi family. Diana was a people-person who enjoyed spending time with her loved ones in Florida and on her visits back to Illinois.

Diana’s unrelenting strength and faith saw her through her fight with bladder cancer since 2006. A battle she fought so bravely right to the very end. Though her fight may be over, her memory will live on forever in her children, grandchildren, and all that knew her.

Diana is preceded in death by her parents William and June Martin; she is survived by her husband Gary Franchi Sr.; her sons Gary (Angie) Franchi Jr., Martin (Maureen) Franchi, Dominic (Jami) Franchi, Patrick (Jen) Franchi, and Christopher (Shannon) Franchi; her grandchildren, Gary III, Angelo, Emily, Colin, Bella, Lily, Gabriella, and two expected grandchildren; her brother William Martin, Jr., her sister Betty Lou Doty; and numerous relatives and close friends, all of whom brought great joy to her life.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 8, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St., Barrington. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m., at Davenport Family Funeral Home. Interment will follow the funeral service at Windridge Cemetery in Cary.

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