Strangers Gather at Oklahoma Woman’s Funeral as Diane Sweeney Gifts Her Cherished VW Beetle: 16-Year-Old Unaware Winner

An Oklahoma woman’s dying wish came true after a random teenage girl won her VW Beetle in a raffle at the woman’s funeral.

Diane Sweeney’s last request before she died was that her car be raffled off to one lucky guest at her funeral.

The Oklahoma woman – who died suddenly at the age of 68 – told her family to choose one lucky winner from all the people who attended last year’s ceremony to take home the sweet white 2016 Volkswagen Beetle.

She instructed them to choose a name at random based on guestbook signature and attendance at Resthaven Funeral Home, South Oklahoma City.

The family didn’t complete the paperwork to complete the car giveaway until this week, when they finally announced the winner after spinning a raffle wheel on top of the VW Beetle with a portrait of Sweeney on it.

Dozens of people who did not know Diane and her family attended the funeral, so the seats were packed with friends, family and even strangers.

16-year-old Gabriella Bonham from El Reno, Oklahoma – a stranger to Diana and her family – won the car.

Suzanne Singleterry, niece of the late Diane Sweeney, said: “I’m glad Aunt Diane’s memory lives on in this way,

‘This is exactly how she would have wanted it. People from all walks of life were present here. All ages, faces, races. Some of them just came because they heard about this woman’s story, and they needed a car.”

The family called Bonham after her name was chosen and said, “Congratulations, you were the winner!”

Bonham said: ‘This is crazy! Thanks a lot guys!’

The 16-year-old had always wanted a VW Beetle and her current junk car had problems, so her win came at a good time.

She said: ‘I have a beat-up car that has some problems, and we were trying to think of ways I could get a new car. So it was just an answer to prayers.”

Although Diane had a clear plan for her funeral and had considered her final wishes, she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at Norman Regional Hospital on July 7, 2022.

Her Celebration of Life service was held July 22 at Resthaven Funeral Hospital with a graveside service taking place at Clinton Elementary

Diane Sweeney died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 68 and told her family that her dying wish was to have her 2016 VW Beetle raffled off among the funeral guests

Strangers – like Gabriella – showed up at the funeral to pay tribute to the Oklahoma woman and in hopes of winning the car

Bonham didn’t know who Diane Sweeney was until she saw the story about her dying wish on KFOR and decided she wanted to attend her funeral.

She convinced some of her own relatives to come with her to the stranger’s ceremony.

Bonham said: ‘I think it’s really cool that she was like that and her family, I’m very grateful for them that they were able to carry on her wishes.’

A tribute wall for Diane was set up online and many people – including the strangers who attended the funeral – shared anecdotes and stories about her.

Juliette wrote: ‘I visited Diane on the day of the service, last minute. I’m homeless and a Volkswagen buggy is my dream car. But once I got there, that purpose was lost on me. I felt her energy there with us.”

Sonita Smith said: ‘I didn’t know Diane Sweeney personally, but I attended her funeral in the hope of winning the Volkswagen Beetle. As I looked around the room and saw a large group of people making time to attend the service, I knew Diane was looking down from heaven with a smile. Rest in peace Diane until we meet again.”

The teenager will pick up her prize on Friday and the first place she drives to in her new car is her work.

The family wanted to thank even more people who attended the funeral, so they chose ten more names to call later this week to tell them they had won a small gift of appreciation.