Diane Smith Johnson (Dusty Cowgirl)
1943 – 2024
Diane Smith Johnson (Dusty Cowgirl), age 80, of Lehi, Utah, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, January 27, 2024. She was born November 15, 1943 to Hugh Charles Smith and Margaret Louie Wright Smith in Glendale, California.
The second of five children, she grew up in North Hollywood, California. From an early age, she adored the notion of cowboy life and dubbed herself “Dusty Cowgirl.”
Diane began to study piano at a young age. Her love of music inspired her to become a gifted and accomplished pianist and organist. Throughout her life, she shared her musical gifts as pianist and organist for several wards in Southern California and Las Vegas, NV.
Before she married, Diane studied nursing at Brigham Young University where she met her future husband, Allan McClure Johnson, Jr. As they courted, they enjoyed many walks and campfire breakfasts in Provo Canyon. They were married in the Los Angeles LDS temple September 11, 1964.
Throughout her marriage, Diane was a loving wife and mother, and inventive homemaker. Her passions for nutrition, cooking, sewing and decorating created a beautiful home and a rich life for her family.
Over the years, she and Allan raised four daughters and made many friends. Among them were the members of the local running club, the Point Fermin Flyers. Diane was proud to have completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons, including several that were 50 miles or more. The family took many trips to Catalina, St. George, Utah and other locales to see the sights and participate in running events together.
Aside from enjoying the piano and running, Diane loved mystery novels and movies. And, she had a wicked sense of humor; pranks and jokes were daily fare in the Johnson household. But, opera is what commanded center stage among her interests. Arias usually filled the house and weekends always featured live performances from the Metropolitan Opera House on PBS.
As her children grew, Diane resumed her college education, attending her local community college, and then earning her bachelor’s degree in physical chemistry at California State University Long Beach in 1990. With her many accomplishments, she set an example for her daughters and grandchildren that perseverance results in achievement.
Diane and Allan moved to Las Vegas in 2004. After Allan’s passing in 2008, she bought a home and moved to Lehi, Utah where she taught piano and enjoyed time with her siblings, their children and grandchildren.
Diane spent her final years in Highland, Utah, making more friends among nurses and caregivers.
Diane is survived by her daughters and spouses: Margaret (Robert, div. 2015) Diane Johnson Doran, Torrance, CA; Laurie (Paul) Jean Dworian, Anchorage, AK; Rebecca (Jonathan) Sloan Johnson Rawnsley; and Johanna (Brian) Elizabeth Johnson-Gilman; eleven grandchildren: Benjamin Scott Doran, Helena McClure Dworian, Abigail Sharon Doran, Margaret Claire Dworian, Nadia Sloan Dworian, Nolan James Gilman, Isabella Caridad Johnson, Shannon Ruth Gilman, Sebastian Allan McClure Johnson, Olivia Sloan Johnson Rawnsley, Conrad Sinclair Johnson Rawnsley; her Siblings Paul (Karin, d. 2021) Charles Smith, Jean (Nicolas) Smith Franklin, and Thomas (Sharon) Hugh Smith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Allan (d. 2008), her daughter, Melinda Lee Johnson (d. 1968), and her grandsons Harold Jackson Johnson Rawnsley (d. 2013) and Gabriel James Doran (d. 2023), and her brother William Ricks Smith (d. 2002).
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 10:30 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 1631 E 900 N, Lehi, Utah. A Viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:00 am. Interment will take place in the Charleston Town Cemetery, 2800 US-189, Heber City, Utah, at 2:30 pm.
Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at utahvalleyfuneral.com.