Obituary of Diana Francis Layne

Diana Francis Layne, 94 reached the end of her Earthly pilgrimage on August 30, 2018 at her home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Diana was a first-generation American; born on August 4, 1924 to Joseph and Ida Gaglio in St. Louis, Missouri. On the 29th of April 1944 Diana married Julius Price to whom she bore three children; Jerry, Linda and Joseph. In 1952 the family emigrated to Montebello, California. Diana worked for the infamous Helm's Bakery. She could be found over filling cream puffs and pies at the Montebello location until Helm's shut down in 1969. On September 12, 1969 Diana married the love of her life, a vacuum salesman named Harry "Bill, Big Dad" Layne. In addition to a garage filled with vacuums, Bill had two sons, Harry and Richard (Genell) who gained a mother. Diana had the idea for Bill to open a vacuum store, after putting their heads together, Montebello Vacuum Center emerged. Diana and Bill grew their business from a garage filled with vacuums to a statewide distributorship. Their success enable them to travel the world. Diana was the epitome Italian woman. At her house you weren't fat, you were healthy. Which meant, have more food! Diana loved anybody and everybody unless they crossed her or her family. She was genuine and never minced her words. Diana loved to play poker. If she wasn't playing in Vegas she was playing at a poker party close to home. Diana almost always had a steaming cup of black coffee in one hand and a "twirler" in the other. Diana was truly amazing, she lived to be 94 but was only 29 years old. Diana is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Ida Gaglio; her husband Harry Layne; sons Richard Layne and Joseph Price (Travis); sisters Evelyn, Francis, Josephine and Mary; son-in-law Gary Pohlman; and daughter-in-law Genell Layne. She is survived by her son Jerry Price (Jane); daughter Linda Pohlman (Gary); brothers Thomas Gaglio (Francis) and Joseph Gaglio; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and her beloved dog Mikey Layne. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 13935 Telegraph Road, Whittier, California, 90604. Reception to follow. Please make donations to Western Arizona Humane Society or Hospice of Havasu.