Dianne Helen Licklider

DIANNE HELEN LICKLIDER

Biloxi, MS

We are saddened to announce the passing of our Queen, our loving and cherished wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend to all whose lives she touched. She departed our world peacefully and gained her angel wings on January 18, 2025. She was in her 87th year. 

Dianne was born a green-eyed, Irish beauty, on April 22, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri to parents Arnold and Thelma (Broder) Breeden. She was a resident of St. Louis until 1946, when her parents ventured onto Santa Rosa, California, with their three small children. Her father was a brakeman with the Northwestern Pacific Railroad. Her mother had a fourth child and pursued a career as a vocational nurse, caring for the elderly. Dianne had such a beautiful voice, she would sing on the radio after school for pocket change. She would also skip school and meet her friends at Mac’s in Santa Rosa, her favorite diner. She would have cream soda and a shrimp salad sandwich.

Dianne graduated from Ursuline all-girls preparatory high school in Santa Rosa, in 1955. She then attended Saint Mary’s College of Nursing in San Francisco, California, for three years, achieving her degree as a Registered Nurse in 1958. Employment followed at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and later with Warrack Hospital as a Recovery Room nurse. 

While working in Santa Rosa, Dianne met her future husband, love of her life, and handsome partner who would become our father, Frank, while he was attending Santa Rosa College. They would marry soon after and begin their life together, traveling the world via the U.S. Air Force for the next 20 years. They would have two daughters, Julie and Sharon, who were their pride and joy. They were stationed in England, Hawaii, California, and Mississippi. The many friends they met along the way became irreplaceable, dear friends they would stay in touch with to this day. 

During their first tour at Keesler AFB, in Biloxi, MS, she was employed at Howard Memorial on the Back Bay. On their second tour, Dianne began her 25-year Civil Service career at Keesler Medical Center in the early 70’s. She held positions on Ward 2B and Pre-Admissions, then transferring to the Surgery Department in the 80's. She received certification at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care, and became the medical center’s wound care nurse practitioner until her retirement in 1997. She made life-long friendships and bonds with many co-workers, nurses, doctors and airmen throughout her career. She was a member of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Medics with many of her co-workers. She had a reputation for holding folks accountable, for her infectious laugh and sense of humor, and for her tenacity as a hardworking, compassionate and caring nurse. She performed her job with pride, loved her work and her patients fiercely.

During their younger years, Mom and Dad were the life of the party. Hosting dinners, parties at their home, and dressing up and going out on New Year’s Eve. Our parents loved going to the Greyhound dog races in Mobile, AL, they also belonged to the Magnolia Swingers Square Dance Club of Biloxi in the 70's. In their later years, they loved to travel. They’ve experienced the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids in Egypt, Central America, Canada and Alaska. Mom loved playing cards, family time, holidays, games, laughing, going to lunch, Hollywood gossip, royalty and James Patterson. Her favorite musicians were Patsy Cline and Englebert Humperdinck. 

Dianne was invited to join the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in the early 80's and remained a life-long member. The sorority performed community activities, held fundraisers, among many charitable worthy causes. They always enjoyed their luncheons where they shared stories and laughter. She became a member of the Sunkist Country Club in Biloxi and played golf with the Biloxi Ladies Golf Association there for well over 25 years. They eventually moved from Ocean Springs to the Sunkist area so she could ride her golf cart to her “new job”. 

She was a parishioner at Fatima Catholic Church for over 25 years, and volunteered in various ways including the Newcomers Club, Bereavement Committee, St. Vincent de Paul, and was a member of the Saturday vigil mass choir.

She adored her friends; they were golden and for life. She was not afraid to ask you anything, she wanted to learn as much about you as she could. She has left a lasting impression on her community of friends and her family, with her values and beliefs, and for caring so much and creating cherished family traditions. She always believed in birthday cards, thank you notes and manners. She was a true lady full of spice and spunk. Gem of a mother and partner to her husband. She was an animal lover, especially to our beloved dogs her and dad shared in our lives; Cleo, Kimo, Cinnamon, Ginger, Shane, Molly, Sally. If you desire, please make donations to the Humane Society of South MS or adopt a pet. 

Dianne is survived by her devoted husband and best friend of 65 years, Frank Licklider, who loved her immensely; adored daughters, Julie Adams (Michael) of Spring, TX, Sharon Collins (Bill) of Biloxi, MS; sister, Mary Rick (Steve) of Ann Arbor, MI, grandchildren; Elliott Canerday, Alysha Manuel (Michael), Nathan Griffey (Jolie), Andrew Griffey, Amanda Griffey; great-grandchildren, Emily and Sofie Canerday. Barbara Lucia (aunt-CA), Dolores Conte (sister-in-law, CA), and many beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She is predeceased by her parents, Arnold and Thelma Breeden; sister, Dolores Salidivar, and brother, James Breeden.

We would sincerely like to thank Chris and Brittney of Gentiva Hospice for their genuine concern and care of our dear mother, and to Melissa of Riemann Funeral Home for your kindness during this time.

Arrangements: Memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 11 am, Fatima Catholic Church., Pass Rd. Biloxi. Bereavement meal to follow in the church hall. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Biloxi VA National Cemetery, Veterans Avenue.

If heaven wasn’t so far away, we would bring you some fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, with a coke Icee. Then for dessert, a root beer float. 

 Proverbs 31:31: “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi, is honored to serve the Licklider Family.