Dianne Hepworth-Champion

Dianne Hepworth-Champion, 78, a retired nurse from Terre Haute, Ind., left life as she lived it – surrounded by devoted family and longtime friends who loved her.

She was born in London just five years after World War II ended to English parents, David and Rubina Hepworth. Her father, who fought bravely in the Battle of Britian, joined Dianne in Terre Haute for the last months of his life. Her mother passed away earlier and was buried in the United Kingdom.

Dianne came to the U.S. and Indiana by way of Canada and Michigan, where she assisted pioneering nuclear-medicine doctors using radioactive tracers to diagnose and treat damaged and diseased tissues. Unlike radiology which uses external x-rays, Dianne’s team of remarkable physicians developed emerging internal applications for imaging organs, detecting tumors and treating conditions like cancer and hyperthyroidism. Dianne’s career in nuclear-medicine nursing brought her to Terre Haute with her pre-school son, Jimmy, after a divorce from Brian Hepworth with whom she remained lifelong friends. He preceded her in death.

As a newborn, Dianne’s son Jimmy was diagnosed with hemophilia, a rare condition in which the blood doesn’t clot in a typical way if and when the person bleeds. Later, Jimmy would be exposed to HIV-AIDS, before blood supply and clotting factor safeguards were put in place nationwide. Both Dianne and Jimmy attended the 1984 funeral of Ryan White, a Hoosier teen who became the national face for needed understanding about the fatal disease. Dianne and Jimmy became strong champions for the Ryan White CARE Act, which funded AIDS research and chemotherapeutic drugs. Dianne worked full-time at Union Hospital and cared for Jimmy as he battled both hemophilia and HIV-AIDS until his passing in 2008.

A bright chapter in Dianne’s life was meeting Terre Haute native Doug Champion, a local computer technician and talented area musician. Doug was introduced to Dianne at one of his many weekend performances and their 39-year harmony began – never to fade. Dianne, Doug and Jimmy became a trio who together shared music, movies, meals and memories with Jimmy’s close classmates – many of whom surrounded Dianne during her own illnesses throughout 2024 and early 2025.

Final days of Dianne’s life could have been sad and painful. But because of some very special and dedicated people, Dianne’s closing hours were filled with her customary faith, love and joy.

The Rev. Dr. Vicky Eaton, First Congregational Church of Terre Haute, was preparing to make a special Ash Wednesday visit to Union Hospital, when Doug asked for Dianne’s hand in marriage. She happily accepted his proposal and a gracious bedside ceremony followed within the hour at the Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care.

To make their marriage legal in Indiana, Dianne and Doug would have traditionally needed to apply online and go to the Vigo County Courthouse to complete other paperwork in person. Receiving end-of-life hospice care, Dianne was physically unable.

The following day, two compassionate and committed members of the Vigo County Clerk’s Office, Elizabeth Stiverson and Jack Kensell, rushed paperwork to Union Hospital upon receiving word Dianne was awake, alert and anxious.

Special thanks go out to the Rev. Dr. Vicky Eaton, Elizabeth Stiverson, Jack Kensell, staff and donors of Union Hospital and the Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care for making the Champion’s unique wedding possible in the eyes of both our God and our government. What a blessing. May Dianne Hepworth-Champion, who passed away the following day, rest in peace. 

Greiner Funeral Home assisted the family with cremation services. A private celebration of life is planned for friends of Dianne, Doug and Jimmy at Stables Steakhouse. 

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