Diannia Christian Yokem

Born on Fort Sill into a family with three older siblings, there were circumstances that would make her different from the very beginning. A difficult childhood and adolescence about which she spoke very little, if at all, would unfortunately result in lifelong estrangement beginning in early adulthood.

Despite this, or maybe because of it, Diannia would still go on to make her own way in and her mark on the world around her. She would find her love of music and dance and become talented in both, studying ballet and learning to play piano, cello, and even the harp. She was one of the few people permitted to play the piano found at the Overholser Mansion in Oklahoma City and one of a possibly smaller group who could truly call themselves “harpist.”

Embracing a love of nature and animals, she planted nearly all the flowers and trees to be found at her house of the last 30 years and always had extra space for animals who needed a foster home, and some of those were indeed extraordinary.

While not being a mother in the traditional way the monkeys that did come into her life would fill that role and would become in a very real sense her children. She cared for them better than she cared for herself on many occasions, and they in turn were her rock.

Throughout all these adventures she would find meet many people who shared her passions and a rare few would become “found family” about whom she would speak fondly and often even in her later years. These are the people with whom she would maintain ties with for most of her life, and as any of them could verify that trust was not won easily given her early life. But those who did often learned of things that could not be found anywhere else.

Her 75 years in this life may have been many things, but it was never boring.

May she rest in the peace she always sought but never seemed to find.

Ever Remembered and Loved,

Chris, Linda, Mike, and Janice

For those reading this obituary, please send a donation in her memory to the animal, wildlife, or conservation effort you believe best in lieu of flowers.

Memorial details still in the works but will be made available soon upon determination.