Diane Marie Sowash

Born July 12, 1946 to Marine (Aho) and Walter Laitala, she grew up first in Lansing and later in Okemos. She attended Okemos schools and graduated from Okemos High School in 1964. Diane attended MSU where she received her BA degree in Art in 1968 and an MA degree in 1970. White in grad school she met and married Laurence Sowash in 1970. They remained married for 54 years at the time of her death.

Diane was employed as a designed with Dart Container and later the John Henry Company during her college years and later as a designer and then Art Director for advertising agencies in Lansing, Detroit, Jacksonville, Florida and Grand Rapids.

Afterward, Diane served as an instructor in the Interior Design Department at Michigan State for a number of years.

Throughout her work life, and later, art was a serious avocation for Diane. Over the years she filled the family home with art, her own and that of others from galleries and art shows throughout the country. Art remained a focus for her during trips to Europe during the 1980s and 1990s when arrival in each new city meant scoping out the local art scene first, letting the local culture and history, no matter how imposing, come later.

Diane is survived by her husband Laurence, son Michael and a brother Donald (Sara) of Okemos and extended family in Upper Michigan and Missouri.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.GREastLansing.com