Virginia Diane Kaegi

Virginia Diane Kaegi, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, at the age of 86. She was born to Anita and Joseph McGuire on December 8, 1939, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the second of five siblings.

Raised in Hutchinson, Diane graduated from Hutchinson High School and attended Hutchinson Community College, where she was a cheerleader and New Year’s Eve Queen. She then attended the Kansas City Art Institute. In 1960, she married Richard Kaegi of Kansas City, Kansas, and supported him in his career in foreign service while raising four children together, living in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Guatemala City, until his untimely death in April 1970. After his death, Diane returned to Hutchinson to be close to both hers and her husband’s families. She then dedicated her life to her children, her church, and her community. She focused on their education, spearheading many fundraisers for Trinity High School in Hutchinson, helping to fund the construction of their concession stand, tennis courts, and other facility improvements. She also served as co-chair of the Holy Cross Catholic Church capital campaign. She served on the Board of Culver Military Academy, where her son Edward attended middle and high school. She invested in multiple residential and apartment properties and opened, owned and managed a carpet store. When Edward received his cancer diagnosis at the age of 19, she threw her energy into his treatment and care until his passing at the age of 50. Later in life, Diane continued her support of her children, intently following their careers, attending work events, baptisms, birthday parties, choir concerts and athletic endeavors, as she delighted in watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.

Diane ensured her family was raised well in the Catholic Faith, attending Mass every Sunday, hosting the priests for dinners, and dedicating many hours to community projects for the church. Diane was a master bowler, a model, a tennis player, an artist, an avid card player, and had an insatiable love of sports, especially for watching Marquette University basketball where her two sons graduated from college. Above all, Diane was our family's compass — a beacon of faith in God. She was a proud mother, a loyal friend, and the heart of every gathering.

Diane was preceded by her parents Anita and Joseph McGuire, her husband Richard Kaegi, and her beloved son Edward Kaegi. She is survived by her children, Bryan Kaegi (Elizabeth), Kim Kaegi (Ron Peden), and Marcia Chrisopulos (Jim); and her siblings, Joe McGuire, Mary Beth Harlan, Anita Reeves (Vernon), and Patty Hilyard. She was the loving grandmother to Alex, Russell and Conner Kaegi; Ryan and Nicole Chrisopulos; and Natalie Carney (Shawn); great-grandmother to Caroline and Charlie Carney; and aunt to many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of a life fully lived will take place on Saturday, February 28, beginning with a Rosary at 9:30 am and Mass at 10:00 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312 East Campbell Avenue in Phoenix, followed by brunch at 11:30 am at the Adobe Bar & Grille at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Thomas grade school Capital Campaign using this link: Give Use the One-time gift tab, then the One-time gift in the drop-down box, please Note: Diane Kaegi

Checks to St. Thomas the Apostle are mailed to 2312 E. Campbell Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016 with a notation of Diane Kaegi Memorial in the memo line.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  2 Timothy 4:7