Diana L. "Dee" Henchey, 58, of Altoona passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Friday.

Dee was born in Altoona, daughter of Kenneth and Betty (Guyer) Carothers. She married William R. Henchey on June 13, 1970, in Altoona. She and Bill have been together since she was 13 years old and were high school sweethearts.

She has one brother, Kent Carothers, with whom she remained close. Dee was always more likely to be getting in fights and being a tomboy than she was being girly.

She is survived by her spouse, William Henchey of Altoona; a son, Eric, and daughter-in law, Becky, of Altoona; a son, Bryan, and daughter-in-law, Heather, and granddaughter, Gabby, of Keyser, W.Va.; a brother, Kent Carothers, and wife, Diana, of Duncansville; and canine companions: Maggie and Lacey; her grand-pups: Thor and Pavlov; and her feline companions: Pebbles, Bam-Bam and Cleo.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Being a military wife, Dee lived all over the United States. She resided in New York, New Hampshire, Texas, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and Nebraska. Upon her husband's retirement from the Air Force, she returned to Altoona.

Dee was a stay-at-home mother and homemaker during her children's early years of school. She was employed at First National Bank as a customer service representative and loan officer for more than 20 years.

She graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1969. Throughout her life, she loved to learn and continued her education through various sources. She was currently enrolled in college to become a medical transcriptionist and had expected to graduate this summer.

Dee was involved in a wide range of activities. When her sons were younger, she was actively involved in Scouting, serving as both a den mother and Webelos mother. She enjoyed going camping around Pennsylvania with her husband and family and enjoyed the solitude that the outdoors brought her.

She was actively involved in dog training with her son, Eric, and daughter-in-law, Becky, and was a member of Fogles' Dog Training, where she was involved in NADAC and Therapy Dogs International. She and her canine companion, Lacey Ann, were approved for therapy and brought significant joy to those in need.

Dee enjoyed weekends in West Virginia with her son, Bryan, daughter-in-law, Heather, and granddaughter, Gabby.

She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, exercising, walking, home decorating, cooking, helping others, listening to music, reading, watching old movies, studying medical transcription, visiting nursing homes with her therapy dogs and learning new things on the computer.

She loved spending time with her family and was most happy when she was with them, especially her granddaughter, Gabby, and she cherished the moments they had together.

One of Dee's most amazing attributes was her willingness to help others. Whether it was welcomed advice, a hug, financial advice, caring for a sick grandchild, being a doting mother or wife, Dee was always willing to help those around her without asking for anything in return.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, April 18, 2010, at Mauk and Yates Funeral Home Inc., and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Mardorf United Methodist Church, Juniata Gap.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Mardorf United Methodist Church with the Rev. Edward J. Preston, officiating. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery.