Diane Elaine Riffie
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Diane Elaine Riffie, age 67, of Lee’s Summit, passed away peacefully on Dec 7, 2021 in Columbia, Missouri after a season of health issues. She was born January 6, 1954 in Warrensburg, Missouri to Clifford and Loretta Craven. She was a graduate of Lee’s Summit High School, class of 1972, where she made many lifelong friends. She attended Graceland College for two years and graduated from University of Missouri in 1976 with a Bachelor’s in Education and Music. Later in life she returned to school and completed a Master’s Degree in Organ Performance from UMKC in 2011.
She was a life-long member of the Lee’s Summit Community of Christ congregation, and served as choir director and organist for many years; she was known for her uptempo hymns. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists. She volunteered as a staff organist at the Community of Christ Auditorium and Temple. She loved preparing for and giving recitals on the Temple Organ. She was ordained in the church to Priest in 1991 and to Elder in 2001.
She enjoyed a long career as a musician and teacher at Lee’s Summit High School, serving in many capacities in the music department. She accompanied hundreds of students in her career, at concerts, Contest and private recitals. She loved “her kids” dearly and they loved her back. She was known for her unique ability to have anything a student could possibly need in her purse, including snacks, safety pins and scissors. She was known for her highly organized nature, and judicious use of post-it notes. She delighted in seeing her students all over town.
She loved more than anything to be with her children and especially her grandchildren, Caleb, Caz, Lydia and Whit. She loved to play games, make crafts, and planned outings to go bowling, eat pizza at Minsky’s, birthday parties, and loved to pick out their cakes each year. She especially loved taking them to Reunion (church camp) each summer.
Diane is survived by her two sons, John Hansen and Christy, (Caleb and Lydia), and Aaron Riffie and Kyndal (Caz and Whit); her mother, Loretta Craven, and brother, Ron Craven. A visitation will be held at Lee’s Summit Community of Christ Church, 1101 NE Independence Ave, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 on December 21 from 4 pm – 7pm and a memorial service on December 22nd at 2 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Diane Riffie Scholarship Fund at Lee’s Summit High School (https://bit.ly/DianeRiffie) or to Outreach International (https://outreach-international.org/).
I am sad to hear about the passing of Diane. To this day I have continued to keep an encouraging note she sent me many years ago. What a delightful person! I’ll always remember her kindness and enthusiasm! My prayers go out to her family. She surely made an indelible mark on many lives!
Diane was an absolute treasure. She was the accompanist for my 4 years at LSHS and you won’t find a student with anything less than wonderful things to say about her. She selflessly gave her time and her talents and her attention to each and every student that requested her. She will forever be loved and appreciated.
For 4 years as I watched and experienced all the beautiful music making during my daughter’s time at LSHS, I saw nothing but joy, love, support, and professionalism from Diane. With her encouragement of our kiddos and her immense talent, I always knew Hannah was in excellent hands. What a blessing for all of us who were privileged to have known and loved such a bright star! Until we see you again…you will be missed.
She was the accompanist for my 4 years at LSHS and she was the the most patient and accommodating person in the world. She gave everything that she had and will for sure be missed, God Speed Mrs R!
So sorry for your loss. Diane Riffie was a wonderful influence on all the students she interacted with in this district. I always enjoyed the gusto with which she accompanied the students in rehearsals as well as performances. I know both my girls enjoyed her immensely.
I am so sorry to hear of Diane’s passing. She was a wonderful person. She would come to visit us when she and a close friend of hers came to see us and we would have wonderful conversations. I will miss her very much. God Bless her.
Diane was a light like no other. She always had nice things to say about everyone. Our son’s grew up singing in the children’s choir and Bible School every summer. I will miss seeing her infectious laugh and smile. An angel has been called home.
Diane was truly a rock in the lives of SO MANY people. Myself included. We are saddened by this loss, while celebrating her life and contributions to our community and her pursuit of her musical and collaborative passions.
I spent four years with Mrs. Riffie in choir. Most of my mornings started with me stopping into her office first thing in the morning for a quick hello, before joining her in first hour. I was lucky enough to celebrate a birthday with her, and exchange a few Christmas cards. I am so sorry for your loss, she was an amazing, kind, compassionate woman. Who I will always be grateful was in my life.
I knew Diane when I attended MU- Columbia and Diane gave her talents of Music to our College Youth Group- The Liahona Fellowship. She was a strong believer in Jesus Christ and the Gospel. She was a very sweet and multi talented person. She used her talent and gifts for others and I am blessed to have known her.
Aaron, I know how important your mom was to you and how hard the last few years have been. May God grant you and your family peace and may many happy memories overshadow the sadness of the last few years. She sounded like quite a woman and I can see your uptempo personality coming from the description of her! Blessings, CArol R