Diane (Stryker) Laird

Diane Stryker Laird, aged 95, died peacefully surrounded by family on April 6, 2024, after a long battle with cancer.

She was the youngest of five children of William Lester Stryker and Ruea McBride Stryker.

Diane, born June 27, 1928, grew up in the small southeastern Kansas town of Fredonia, she was a drum majorette in high school and was voted most popular girl during her three years there. She then attended Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and was secretary of her class. Diane transferred to Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas, where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She also spent a couple of summers at the University of Colorado in Boulder. While at K.U., Diane was a Miss K.U. Beauty Queen and Queen of the five state Kansas Relays event. Graduating with a B.S. degree in 1949 at age twenty, our mother’s career included being an English teacher in Powell, Wyoming, and working a summer at Valley Ranch near Cody, Wyoming. She also worked for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City writing humorous verses. She roomed with her Kappa roommates and while there met and married Earl Edward Laird, a K.U. architectural engineer.

In 1955 the couple moved to Charlotte where Earl opened Laird Steel Buildings Company and Diane gave birth to Diedra Diane Laird, deceased baby Bruce, and Scott Edward Laird. Later, many years were spent playing tennis at Myers Park Country Club.

Our mother loved bridge and was, in her early years, a Junior Life Master. She joined several book, antique, writing and garden clubs, and was for a time teaching S.A.T. English at East Mecklenburg High School. She was a Docent at the Mint Museum and her special love was a third generation P.E.O. educational project for women. She also held membership in D.A.R. and the XVII Century National Society of Colonial Dames.

Returning to school, Diane obtained her Realtor’s license and opened Diane Laird Realty before retirement. In retirement she wrote and published two children’s books.

She leaves behind a daughter, Diedra Diane Laird, and a son, Scott Edward Laird, a daughter-in-law, Kathy Laber Laird, grandsons Jake and Daniel Laird, granddaughter-in-law Brigetta Johnson Laird, and great-grandson Henry Stryker Laird.

As she requested, there will be no funeral…only that a smile and memory be shared.

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