Dianna Mary Cook-Hemond, 81

If you imagined that you heard a bunch of barking dogs very early on the morning of September 18, 2022, you were probably hearing the happy dogs welcoming their beloved owner into the gates of heaven. Dinah loved dogs! Over the course of her life, she owned and loved more than a dozen. She’s truly in heaven now, probably handing them all a treat.

Dianna (Dinah) Mary Cook-Hemond was born on March 12, 1941 in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, to Richard (Ed) and Blanche (Black) Stoneman. When she was 12 years old, the family moved to Rathdrum, and a year later to Spirit Lake. Dinah loved living there. She especially loved swimming at Bum’s Camp. She excelled in school, being valedictorian in both junior and senior high.

It was in Spirit Lake where she met Clemis Foutz. They got married in April, 1958. They had a daughter, Debora Lynn, born in August 1959. As often happens with young marriages, it didn’t last long. A few years later, she met the true love of her life, Thomas Victor Cook of Coeur d’Alene. They were married in 1965. In 1969, they were blessed with a son, Todd Vincent Cook. Tom died of a sudden heart attack in 2001. Prior to Tom’s death, Dinah decided to return to school, and graduated from Kinman Business University. She went to work first in a dental office, then took a job as a switchboard operator at the old Kootenai Memorial Hospital. Someone told her that GTE was hiring, she applied and her switchboard experience more than qualified her for the new job. She retired from there 25 years later.

Tom and Dinah loved sports, especially football. They always entered the Coeur d’Alene Press Pigskin Picks contest, where Dina became the first woman ever to win first prize. She was so proud that she wore the prize ring for the rest of her life. Dinah was a member of Catholic Daughters. She was a charter member of the Coeur d’Alene Lady Elks and a member of The Red Hot Mamas. She loved performing in the parades, especially the one in Hershey, Pa.

A few years after Tom’s passing, Dinah was introduced to her son-in-law’s father, Roger Hemond. They discovered they had mutual interests, and they got married in 2006. They both loved karaoke and enjoyed going to any establishment that had a karaoke machine. Roger also loved to sing love songs to Dinah, and even recorded a CD. Their next passion was traveling, and they visited several states. One of their trips took them to the America’s Got Talent auditions. Unfortunately, Roger didn’t make the cut because when it was his turn to sing, he totally froze up and forgot the words to the song. They laughed it off, and enjoyed their life together until Roger passed away in 2011.

Dinah is survived by her son Todd (Monica) of Anacortes, Wash. and daughter Debi (John) of Hayden Lake, Idaho, and grandchildren Jon, Jill, Joel, Jennie, and Max. There are also several great-grandkids, and too many nieces, nephews and cousins to list. Dinah is also survived by sisters Rhonda Erickson of Spokane, Wash., Vicki Paulicheck of Liberty Lake, Wash., Lolly Jerome of Coeur d Alene, Idaho, Sonya Trenary (Merle) of Elk, Wash., brothers Rick Stoneman (Brenda) of Spokane, Wash. and Dave Hamilton (LeAnne) of Kendrick, Idaho. She was also preceded in death by her sister April “Dussy” Koch. She loved them all.

A celebration of Dinah's life will be scheduled at a later date.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Dianna’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.