Dianne Mitchell Yancey

Dianne Mitchell Yancey, 74, passed away peacefully on the evening of February 15th, 2024, in Layton, Utah, with her son Chris and daughter-in-law Mary at her side.

She was born to Beverly Jean Livingston and Kenneth Mitchell on February 4th, 1950, in Provo, Utah. She was the oldest of four children with two sisters, Carolyn Parcell (deceased) and Arlene Bilbao (Orem, Utah), and one brother, Blaine Mitchell (Coquille, Oregon). She loved her

parents, and as a natural leader, she thrived in her role as a big sister. She spent many hours singing to her siblings while they all enjoyed the innocence of a 1950s childhood in Orem, Utah.

Dianne had five children: Christopher Yancey (Mary), Phillip Yancey (Wendy), Ryan Yancey (deceased), Jason Yancey (Jennifer), and Monica Yancey (Paul). She was a playful mom who found joy in re-experiencing childhood with her kids. She made green eggs and ham after

reading Dr. Suess. For Halloween, she dressed as a witch and learned to cackle. At Christmastime, she convinced the children that elves were hiding everywhere. And later in her life, she had the opportunity to be the stepmother to Iris, Max, Ashley, and Sarah.

Dianne had sixteen grandchildren: Ashley, Taylor, Austin, Ryan, Caleb, Camden, Keaton, Kody, Benjamin, Samuel, Timothy, Emily, Nicholas, Melody, Simon and Mathilda. She adored them and reveled in discovering each child’s talents and personality. She spent untold hours creating

elaborate events for the grandkids. Nothing was “too much” for Dianne. One year, she booked Irish dancers for the family Saint Patrick’s Day party.

She will be fondly remembered by her children and grandchildren, her siblings, her nieces and nephews, her former husband Robert Olin Yancey, and her stepchildren. She is preceded in death by her son, Ryan Yancey; her mother, Beverly Jean Livingston; her father, Kenneth Mitchell; her sister, Carolyn Parcell; her former husband, David Palmer; and her best friend, Elizabeth Atkinson.

Dianne had a vibrant personality. She was playful, extroverted, and talented. Loved ones can quickly call to mind hearing her beautiful singing voice with songs like “Merry Christmas, Darling,” “Somewhere, Out There,” and “If We Hold On Together.” She was a talented public

speaker and an excellent communicator. Dianne loved the companionship of many lifelong friends, including Diana Jenson, Marla Connerley, and Dick Darnell. She loved pushing others to chase their deepest dreams.

Dianne was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions throughout the years; perhaps the most memorable was her service to the singles program, where she organized events, dances, and conferences throughout the Salt Lake City

region. Her faith guided her always and she felt called to serve this particular community within the LDS church.

Dianne had many professional accomplishments.

She was the Director of Childcare for the State of Utah. As the first person ever to hold this role, she created and implemented public awareness campaigns that initiated community relationships with faith groups, businesses, and other stakeholders. She advocated for onsite childcare for working parents and quality preschool education. She was moved by the work of early childhood education gurus such as Bev Bos and Maria Montessori and sought to bring this wisdom to Utah’s children.

She was a professional public speaker with The Color Code, where she presented to organizations, companies, and colleges about the role personality plays in relationships and communication.

She was an event planner with the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation (now known as the Ensign Peak Foundation) and worked tirelessly to create special events honoring the lives of the LDS community pillars, such as Richard Lyman Bushman.

She was an author and self-published three non-fiction books: Educating at Home with Love, Creativity and Respect; Parenting with Personality; and her autobiography, which she worked on for many years. She was also a columnist for Wasatch Women’s Magazine.

She volunteered with the Professional Republican Women (PRW) organization for many years, ultimately serving as president of the Utah Chapter. She was an active citizen and an educated voter. Her interest in politics stemmed from a desire to improve people’s lives locally, nationally, and globally.

Later in her life, she became a FranklinCovey certified life coach and worked one-on-one with numerous individuals to guide them to, as she would say, “live your life on purpose.” She started a coaching and consulting business called the Dream Support Network.

She will be missed, but her vision lives on.

A viewing will be hosted on Tuesday, February 20th, from 6 to 8 pm at Lindquist’s Kaysville  Mortuary, 400 N Main St., Kaysville, Utah.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, at 11:00 at the LDS Chapel located at 50 South 750 West, in Orem, Utah with a viewing before the funeral at 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Inurnment will be at the Orem City Cemetery at a later date.

Her funeral will be live-streamed from this website at the link below, and the funeral recording will be permanently posted on this obituary afterward and linked to her genealogical records.

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