Dianna (Sylvia) Champlin

Dianna Champlin, (Sylvia), 75 died Wednesday, April 25, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was the wife of the late Donald Champlin.

Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Anna Sylvia, (Burch) and Edward Vincent Sylvia. She leaves her children, Sybil Bailey, (Robert), of Providence; Lillian Varner, (Floyd) of Tampa, Florida; son Arthur Champlin, (Nichole) of Allen, Texas, and Sandra Laughlin, (Brian) of East Providence. She was the niece of Norma Watkins. She was the sister of the late William Sylvia, Bernard Sylvia, George Sylvia, Vincent Lopes, and Michael Lopes. She also leaves two sisters, Mary Sylvia Harrison and Nina Sylvia; a brother, Patrick Lopes.

She is survived by grandchildren Brendon Varner, Ebonee Bailey, Krystle and Shannon Laughlin and Ayisha Varella and 6 great children. She also leaves to mourn her many nieces and nephews, and cousins very dear to her.

Dianna had 4 best friends who were more like siblings- Hope Price, Sandra Smith and Meredith and Joe Costa. They shared a fierce love for each other for more than 62 years. They were always there to celebrate the good times and most recently the very hardest of times.

Dianna grew up in Providence and moved to Tampa in 2002 where she lived with her husband until his death in 2013. She returned to RI where she lived during the summer months with her daughter, Sybil and son-in-law Robert. During the winter months she alternated between Tampa with her daughter, Lillian and son-in- law Floyd and Texas with her son, Arthur and daughter-in-law Nichole.

Her children often teased each other about where she most enjoyed living and they felt it was an honor to take care of her when she became ill. She was very proud of her children and often said that they were her greatest accomplishment. Above all, she was a dedicated wife, mother and friend whose loving, kind and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew her.

Dianna worked for Blue Cross/ Blue Shield and Fleet Bank in Data processing up until her retirement in 2002. She had a myriad of friends in RI, Florida and Texas and was truly loved by so many as has been demonstrated in the outpouring of phone calls from across the country.

Dianna’s interests through the years included her prized collection of African American dolls and figurines and she was an amazing cook known for always having a meal of comfort food to share. She also enjoyed many good times traveling with the American Legion with many of her dearest friends when she lived in RI.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society/CAN

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