Funerals are somber events that do not normally come with the chance to win a big prize. One generous and lighthearted Oklahoma woman made sure her family knew she did not want that for her celebration of life. Diane Sweeney asked her family to raffle off her beloved 2016 Volkswagen Beetle to one lucky funeral attendee.
Diane’s family honored her wishes. They even got the word out to strangers and invited them to attend. A 16-year-old girl named Gabriella Bonham was the lucky winner and she never knew Diane.
Suzanne Singleterry, Diane’s niece, is one of the family members who made it happen. “My Aunt Diane, she was one of the most generous people that you would ever meet. She loved her family, she loved listening to James Taylor and Carole King, and she loved her VW Bug,” she gushed. “She had actually talked about it for many years. ‘When I pass away, I’d like you to raffle up my car at the funeral, must be present to win.’ Of course, lawyers tell us we can’t do that, but we are making do. We’re happy to see that her wishes are being fulfilled.”
Gabriella saw Diane’s story on the news. She convinced some of her family to attend the funeral with her. “I have a hand-me-down car that has some issues, and we were trying to figure out ways that I could get a new car. So, it was just, an answer to prayers,” she explained.
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Gabriella is so thankful for Diane’s legacy of generosity. “I think it was really cool that she was like that and her family, I am really grateful for them that they were able to continue her wishes,” she stated. The first place she plans to drive is to work.
“I’m excited for Aunt Diane’s memory to live on this way,” Suzanne concluded.
