Diane Leversee Smith

Born Diane Mildred Leversee on September 9th, 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Leslie V. Leversee and Jean Bouck Leversee, the family moved to the Denver area in 1953 and settled in Aurora. 

Diane attended Peoria Elementary, South Junior High (Middle School) and graduated from the new Hinkley High School in 1967. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Psychology in 1971. 

In 1972 she married her first husband Fred Zickrick who was a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a pilot. In the 70’s, they were stationed at many airbases in the South and they did a stint in Thailand following the Vietnam War. Their son Karl was born in 1981. Diane and Fred divorced soon after and Diane returned to Aurora with her very young son to be near her family. Diane primarily worked as an farm insurance underwriter. 

In 1995, she married Bruce Smith, a long time good friend from Aurora who she met through church and a long time employee of the Coors Brewing Company. In 2001, she left the insurance business and became an Antiques and Collectibles dealer, a business she really enjoyed and made many friends. Through the years, she had a booth in several Antique malls and displayed at many indoor and outdoor shows.

Late in 2017, Diane was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and lost her mobility in 2021. She decided that she wanted to be home cared with husband Bruce being the primary care giver in 2018. The last 15 months of her life she received in-home care provided by Optio Home Care(Palliative) and The Denver Hospice. 

Diane passed away peacefully in her sleep early in the morning July 18th, 2024. 

She is survived by her brother Tom Leversee(Jan), her sister Lynn Desens(Paul), her husband Bruce Smith, her son Karl Zickrick, step-children Aaron Smith(Sarah Bacon), Cassie Larimer(Jeff), David Smith(Rachel Ira), step-grandchildren Sullivan and Harvey Smith, nieces- Jill Leversee(Ross Meyer), Sarah Leversee, Kelly McNish(Mike) and a nephew-John Desens(Lindsey Bonner). 

Diane was a kind and sensitive soul who loved to laugh. She left us too early and will be missed greatly. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 7th, 2024 at 3pm at Parkview Congregational Church UCC 12444 E Parkview Drive Aurora. 

Donations in honor of Diane can be made to The Denver Hospice, the Michael J Fox Foundation, the Davis Phinney Foundation, Art as Action or to Parkview Congregational Church UCC.