Diana Mecham Rice

Diana Mecham Rice (1947-2025) of Toquerville, Utah passed away on April 4, 2025. She was born in Murray, Utah on September 15, 1947 to Lester and Beth Mecham. Diana worked as a police dispatcher for the State of Utah until opening a concrete statuary business with her husband and son in 1996.

Diana met the love of her life Kenneth F. Rice Jr. while attending Bingham High School in 1964. The couple eloped in Idaho in 1965. Shortly after marrying they had their first son Kenny Rice. In 1973 they welcomed their second son Anthony “Tony” Rice.

Though Diana had many passions including quilting, baseball, and going for rides with her husband in their Corvettes, her favorite was her role as a grandmother. She treasured her time with each of them loving to take them swimming, sleepovers with Papa Murphy's pizza, and to Salt Lake Bees baseball games in the Summer.

Diana was known in her family as the lover of all the cats. Rescuing many cats throughout her life, valuing them like they were family.

Diana spent many hours quilting making quilts for her grandchildren’s big life events with her sister Linda. Her Granddaughters cherish their quilts made for their high school graduations and weddings to this day.

Diana will always be remembered by her spit fire spirit and her stubborn attitude. She was never afraid to say exactly what she was thinking. Her family will miss her spicy opinions that never failed to make them laugh. Her granddaughter loved to joke she was going to write a book of her grandma’s quick witted comments A.K.A “dianisms”. These “dianisms” will live on in her children, sisters, and grandchildren.

Diana was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Jr., sister Tammy, parents Lester and Beth, and her Daughter-in-law Elizabeth. She is survived by her sons Anthony (Sherrie) and Kenny (Kathy), her sisters Linda and Sharon, her Grandchildren Collin, Shelby (Devin), Kami, Alec, Brad, Dallin, Cole, and Sheridan (Dylan). As well as four great-grandchildren.

At this time no funeral will be held. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to Kitty Haven Sanctuary or to the National Down Syndrome Society.