Diane Cecelia Ward (Tomai), age 78 of Cottage Grove passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at Madonna Towers Skilled Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota.

Diane was born on September 26, 1940 in Saint Paul, the daughter of Amos and Shirley (McConnell) Tomai.  She attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic School and graduated from St. Paul Johnson High School in 1958.  She was united in marriage at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church to Richard in 1967.  Diane spent her adult life enjoying a peaceful country setting with a house in the woods.  She loved nature, gardening and bird watching.  She was a passionate reader, especially books on saints and mystics of the Church, played the piano and loved listening to a wide range of music, including Pavarotti, Sarah Brightman, BeeGees, Cat Stevens and John Denver.  She never shied away from discussing politics, loved everything about Christmas and reminiscing about her trips to Ireland.  She also loved food, especially sweets, McDonald's cheeseburgers, her favorite; Italian and pizza.  Her great passion and love was spending time with her grandchildren.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents and brother Edward (Bucky).  She is survived by her husband Richard; children Craig Ward, Laura (John) Archbold and Brian Ward; grandchildren Emma and Jack; brother Larry Tomai and her dearly loved grand dog Whinney.

The funeral Mass will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (5455 50th Ave NW) in Rochester with Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to Madonna Living Community Foundation.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Madonna Towers and Mayo Clinic nursing, medical, and hospice team. In her later years, Diane suffered greatly with multiple, chronic and serious complex health conditions. Despite her suffering she remained positive with a strong will to live. She gave us all lessons on mercy, love and the sanctity of life .