During the last weeks of her life, Dianne was subjected to beatings, burns, humiliation and torture. She was kept a virtual prisoner in her home. Her room was locked from the outside and the windows were nailed shut.

In Dianne’s final days and hours, she was subjected to unspeakable brutality and torture. On September 23, 1978, Dianne’s died, her father had beaten her for the last time.

In October 1978, a Memorial Committee was established to purchase a headstone for Dianne's unmarked grave to provide her the dignity and respect in death that she did not receive in her life. Yet, a local monument company came forward donating a headstone. The donations were now directed toward establishing a lasting memorial to Dianne — The Dianne DeVanna Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

The horror and the outrage felt by the local communities was indeed channeled into something positive and decent. Today, The Center stands as an enduring tribute to Dianne and is dedicated to all children who suffer as the result of abuse and neglect.