Diana Young

Diana Young of Concord, NH - On Sunday, June 18, Diana Sims Young passed away at age 60 from complications following a small bowel and colon transplant, a surgery made possible through a landmark partnership between Veterans Affairs and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Diana waited 18 months for the right match before this surgery was possible.

Diana's conviction was evident even before her first breath. She arrived swiftly and suddenly in her childhood home, born to George and Geraldine Sims, with only a single drop of blood on her newborn skin. She grew up with her six brothers and sisters on the south side of Chicago in Posen, Ill., and moved to Concord in the mid-1980s.

Diana had a quiet strength and a keen sense of purpose. She served in the United States Army for 27 years, joining when she was only 17. She served as a Human Resources Specialist, and assisting fellow soldiers as they progressed in their Army careers. She was an expert on personnel regulations and provided senior-level officers with access to personnel management resources needed to manage the force. Among her many awards and ribbons, she was awarded two of the prestigious Meritorious Service Medals, which are awarded for outstanding acts of service or achievement.

After retiring Diana was asked to return as a contractor to help develop the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program would meet the many needs of our troops returning from long deployments to ensure the soldiers and their families were reunited as smoothly as possible. She will be remembered for her patriotism and compassion for others, always stepping up to help others in need.

Outside of work Diana knew how to live life well, and was an adventurer with a generous soul. She toured the country she loved so much by RV and on her Softail Slim Harley Davidson, frequenting the infamous rallies in Sturgis, South Dakota. She traveled around the U.S. visiting family and friends as well, and would oftentimes drive through the night to make it to important events like graduations or birthdays.

She was a devoted member of the Concord Lions Club and loved to help with their vision screening program for children in all elementary schools. She was also an active volunteer at Christ the King Church for their 7 a.m. mass in Concord and spoke of the resonance of Father Rich's sermons.

Diana was resolute in defending what she believed was right, and even more so in her support of those she loved. Even to those she did not know well, she was the ultimate giver – gladly offering the shirt off her back to help someone else.

Diana is survived by her husband of almost 33 years Paul, and their beloved dog Snowball; daughter Christina and grandsons Trace and Brayden; son James and wife Shannon; stepson Shane; siblings Celia, George, Angela, Kimberly, and John and their respective families; Diana is preceded in death by her parents, George and Geraldine Sims, the cherished memory of her brother Kevin who passed in 2000; as well as throngs of loving friends, community members, and caretakers in Concord and beyond.

She will be laid to rest with military honors on August 4, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscowan, with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Red Blazer Restaurant in Concord from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Christ the King Church in Concord will hold mass with intensions of Diana at 7 a.m. on Sunday, August 6.

In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Concord Lions Club.

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