Diana Tutt

Our mom, Diana Marie Mantese Tutt was born July 19, 1952 in Spokane WA. She passed away February 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Mom grew up on the Mantese Ranch and was the oldest of seven children. She helped raise her youngest siblings, and they agree that in many ways she was their mom too.
Mom graduated from Mead High School in 1970 and went to work at the Spokesman-Review. While working there she met our dad, Jonathan Tutt, who was an enlisted specialist in the army and worked at the courthouse across the street. Dad thought Mom was out of his league but she was attracted to his intelligence, maturity and kind eyes. They married March 18, 1972 at St. Joseph's in Colbert.
Mom's ultimate desire was to be a mother and have children of her own. She was blessed with three amazing children: David, Celeste and Colette. We turned out so well because of our incredible parents, who raised us to be good people with values, morals and purpose. We did not have everything growing up, but we had what mattered, Mom modeled what it means to be a true Christian: she did not preach; she did not point out our sins; she simply demonstrated her love of Christ and her love of humanity. She believed that all of our treasures are a gift from God and should be shared. For many years she worked in a jail ministry bringing Eucharist, the gospel and companionship to prisoners in the county jail,
Mom was left handed and naturally creative and artistic. She rocked out to Zeppelin and U2. She was a consummate cook and known for her famous lasagna. She was a talented artist who painted beautiful watercolor landscapes and sketched elegant renderings of the human form. After raising her children, Mom joined the workforce fulltime and obtained a property management license, then worked alongside Dad for many years. Becoming a grandmother -
"Nana" - was the culmination of her dreams. She treasured her time with her grandkids: cooking and baking together, hosting movie night sleepovers, taking them to the lake, and sharing stories from her life.
When Mom's parents passed away in 2017, she and Dad moved back to the ranch. Mom's health began to deteriorate and sadly she kept more to herself, though we visited often. In June 2024 she had a stroke and never fully recovered, but the last few months we had with her were precious and we were closer to her than we had been in years.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents Dolores & Roger Mantese, sister Teresa Mantese, grandson Malachi McCormick, and our family pets George, Lily, Oreo and Mary. She is survived by her husband of nearly 53 years, Jonathan Tutt; her children: David (Danielle) Tutt, Celeste McCormick, Colette Hoyt (Chad Resseman); her grandchildren: Kimberlyn, Michael, Sophia, Chandra, Trinity, Deaglan, Aidan and Olivia; her siblings Debbie (Geno) Baril, Rocky Mantese, Antoinette Mantese, David (Jennean) Mantese, Vanessa (Joe) Gilbert; and numerous nieces, nephews and granddogs.
When you think of her, Mom would want you to remember "to thine own self be true" and Romans 8:28: "all things work together for good for those who are called according to God's purpose." God bless you, Mom - we know you are watching over us from heaven.
We will celebrate mom with a funeral mass at 12pm on Saturday March 8 at St. Joseph's Parish in Colbert WA. You may honor her with a donation to St. Joseph's, the Poor Clares or Joya.