Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL) - May 31, 2006

 Diana "DeeDee" McGlawn: ‘She lived life to the fullest' B-N woman overcame disabilities after accident

BLOOMINGTON - Diana "DeeDee" McGlawn nearly always smiled, and she inspired others despite a near-fatal accident that left her with a disability almost 29 years ago.

"She lived life to the fullest for her capabilities," said McGlawn's mother, Trudy McGlawn Spence.

McGlawn, 38, was paralyzed after she was struck by a motorcycle while walking home from school in 1977 on a county road just west of Bloomington. Doctors saw little chance she would survive, and they predicted she would be like a 3-month-old child if she did, according to Pantagraph archives.

But she far exceeded doctors' expectations and returned to school. She graduated from Heartland Community College in 1995.

McGlawn died Saturday. Spence said her daughter choked while eating dinner.

Spence said her daughter, who was quadriplegic, maintained a positive attitude. She still was striving to find a job, preferably one involving computers that she could perform from home, Spence said.

"Whatever she could do in her capacity, she wanted to do it," Spence said. "And some things she pushed that maybe were a little beyond her."

The Pantagraph published stories following her recovery and the gifts given to her, such as a keyboard and voice synthesizer - she could not speak - and a guide dog.

Spence said McGlawn was thrilled when she flew with her to Las Vegas, and the pair had also visited Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion in Memphis, Tenn. She said McGlawn was a Presley fan.

And the pair planned to hit the slot machines in September in casinos in Tunica County, Miss.

She said her daughter also was a Tim McGraw fan, and even had the country singer's signature tattooed to her leg following a concert in Chicago in 2000.

"He signed her leg, and she kept it until she got back home and went to the tattoo parlor," Spence said.

McGlawn's eldest sister, Barb Reynolds, described her sister as "bubbly," and said she had friends from Chicago to Memphis.

Reynolds recalled when a pair of Eastland Mall security guards whom McGlawn had befriended gave her 35 balloons for her 35th birthday. McGlawn laughed as Reynolds tried to fit the balloons, which were tied to her wheelchair, into the van when Reynolds picked her up.

McGlawn was dedicated to her friends and family and to her goals, her mother said.

"She was a little stubborn, and when she set her head, that's what she did," she said.

McGlawn's obituary on Page D4.
Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL)
Date: May 31, 2006
Edition: Main
Page: A5
Record Number: 061710418
Copyright (c) 2006, Pantagraph Publishing Co.

Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL) - May 31, 2006

BLOOMINGTON - Diana "DeeDee" L. McGlawn, 38, of 1404 N. Lee St., Bloomington, formerly of Tennell House, Pekin, died at 4:52 p.m. Saturday (May 27, 2006) at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington, with the Rev. Fred Belcher officiating. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery, Downs. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the memorial home.

Memorials may be made to Special Olympics.

She was born Oct. 19, 1967, at Normal, to Sylvin and Trudy Braun McGlawn.

Surviving are her mother, Trudy McGlawn Spence, Bloomington; and two sisters, Barb (Johnny) Reynolds, LeRoy, and Jeanette (Bruce) Radcliff, Danvers. Also surviving are niece, Kayla Radcliff, Danvers; five nephews, Justin (Melissa) Roberts, Mount Zion; Michael (Kelli) Roberts, Charleston; and Brent Radcliff, Danvers; and J.D. and Jacob Reynolds, LeRoy; and five great-nieces, and great-nephews, Morgan, Kayla, Cameron, Devon and Dylan. Also surviving are her special friends and caregivers on Lee Street.

She was preceded in death by her father; stepfather, Chuck Spence; and her grandparents.

She was a 1995 graduate of Heartland Community College. DeeDee had been in an accident at the age of 9; she was a quadriplegic.

She was an avid Tim McGraw fan. She was an avid computer user and she used it to communicate with family and friends. It was her link to life.
Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL)
Date: May 31, 2006
Edition: Main
Page: D4
Record Number: 061710476
Copyright (c) 2006, Pantagraph Publishing Co.