Death doesn’t always have to be sad.

We tend to get lost in our grief, rightly so. But once-in-a-while, someone comes along determined to leave something more behind after they’re gone.

Diane Sweeney knew her death might be coming, following a sudden illness. But, before the 68-year-old died, she had one request for her family:- raffle off her prized 2016 Volkswagen Beetle to anyone at all who signed the guest book at her funeral.

Diane had purchased the car brand new nearly 7 years prior. Her niece, Suzanne Singleterry, said that it was more than just a vehicle to her aunt. It was something she loved driving around, showcasing her humor and creativity throughout Oklahoma, singing loudly to songs from Carole King and James Taylor.

Suzanne said that her aunt had always joked about giving away her car at her funeral. However, the month before she died, she told her family that she wanted this to be done. Diane’s hope was that it would attract friends from all over the country that she had met while traveling.

“It was a reflection of herself and her sense of humor,” she said, “and wanting to go out making people feel happy and giving them one last laugh.”

So the family promoted the raffle for the car and her funeral had a huge turnout. A lot of strangers came through, all giving their sympathy, and hoping they might be the beneficiary of Diane’s vehicle raffle.

Friends of Diane Sweeney’s family raffle off her 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. Photo by Rick Ingram

“It was her last wish, facilitated by her niece and nephew and many others,” Suzanne said.

In the group of strangers, was 15-year-old Gabriella Bonham. She had seen the TV news report about Diane’s car raffle and thought it was a sign. She was set to get her license and the family car had been handed down through 3 people and was “well over 160,000 miles,” her father, Rodney, said.

Gabriella had barely been getting the car to work and back. 

So, with her sisters and a few others, Gabriella made her way to Oklahoma City in July for Diane’s funeral. Nervous, they thought they should leave – worried they were going to bother those attending the service.

But they went in. Each of them signed the guest book and sat through the service for Diane. But, there wasn’t a raffle that day. Wanting to give Diane’s family and friends time to say goodbye to her, they left quickly.

Over the next year, Gabriella said she mostly forgot about the funeral, assuming someone else had won the car. Having finally gotten her driver’s license, she was gingerly driving the battered 15-year-old car that had been handed down to her. Only driving it when she absolutely had to.

Gabriella Bonham, 16, poses with the car she won after attending Diane Sweeney’s funeral the previous year. Photo by Rodney Bonham

“I was babying it so nothing bad would happen,” Gabriella said.

And we were just praying for another opportunity to get another car.”

Then, out of the blue, she got a phone. It was Rick Ingram, Diane’s nephew and the executor of her estate. He explained that it had taken the better part of a year to sort out Diane’s possessions in court, but once it was done, they had finally pulled a name from the raffle – Gabriella’s.

Two weeks later, just as Diane would have wanted, Gabriella had her new car and no longer needed to beg rides off her sisters, or borrow their cars. She would be able to drive herself to school and work, safely.

“I’ve gained a lot of freedom,” Gabriella said.

And that, Suzanne said, was exactly what Diane would have wanted.

“She’d be thrilled that the winner is a young teen just starting out in life,” Suzanne said. “We also hope that her selflessness and giving spirit are an example for many and will serve to inspire others.”

Watch below to see the funeral raffle and Gabriella getting to see her new car!

Sources: Washington Post | Live Now Fox