Diane Kay Mosier was called home to the welcoming arms of her Lord on November 5th, 2021. While her passing was sudden and unexpected, it was a gentle one; a kindness for which all those who love her are grateful. As we all adjust to this new reality of life without her loving presence, we are reminded of her insistence that she would “prefer a celebration to a dirge.” As always, we will work to make her proud; for her, we will do our best.
Preceded in death by her father, Doyle Smith, they are likely already together playing a game of cribbage, and she is being regaled with tales of his exploits during the last 24 years she’s been without him. After her father’s passing, Diane was ever at her mother’s side, caring for and loving Koreen Smith as best she could. For Diane, nurturing came as easily to her as breathing, and the love she had for the people around her was apparent in every choice she made. From smaller gifts of beautiful bouquets created from her gardens, to larger gestures of advocacy and support, Diane never held back in her service to others. Be it personally or professionally: if you needed her, she was there.
Born April 4, 1951, Diane was the oldest of four children. A longtime resident of the DeWitt community, she would proclaim, ‘This is where I was born, and this is where I choose to stay.’ Many of you may know her for her service as the DeWitt township clerk, where she served for 28 years. She took her job as a representative of the township seriously, and was proud to serve her community and enjoyed those who worked alongside her. Her ongoing commitment was also seen in the number of boards she sat on: the township board, library board, SCUMA board, and many others over the years. When you spoke with Diane about your concerns, your voice was heard, and you were treated with kindness and respect — no exceptions. She was unwilling to leave any of her duties until she knew her community and her people would be cared for as well as she could have done herself.
Her friends and family were thrilled in 2018 when she decided it was time to dedicate all her hours to joyous pursuits and join the ranks of the no-longer employed. Finally able to dedicate all her energy and time to her loved ones, that is exactly what she did.
Loving wife of James Mosier, they were married 26 wonderful years. Diane and James were partners in life — and in the yard, with her endless garden chores and honey-do lists. While she rarely let him leave the house in his preferred flannel shirts, they were always headed somewhere. Diane reveled in a thriving social life and treasured friends, whether it was card night or Thursday dinner. In retirement she was fulfilled and happy spending time with people she enjoyed and doing things that interested her, and she always had something in the works to look forward to.
As beloved mother and grandmother, she spent every precious moment she could seeking them out for fun times and adventure. The grandchildren were always desperate for a sleepover at Grandma Diane’s house— and one night often turned into the weekend (where she had just as much fun as the grandkids did!). Stories told afterward revealed they loved playing on her incredible porch, zooming down the hill and through the neighborhoods on a purple golf cart, hitting every garage sale in town, or going out to eat at all their favorite restaurants. She had every grandchild convinced they were her favorite, as it should be. Grandma Diane was a safe place where they could talk and a bright shining light in their lives. Her lifelong gift to them was this: memories of wonderful shared times together, and recognition of what it feels like to be unconditionally loved.
Gardening was her longtime passion, as evident by her home. It’s very possible you had a luncheon on her porch or taken a tour of her garden paths. All were invited to sit and visit; she didn’t believe in strangers, just friends you hadn’t yet met. Later in life, pottery with her daughter Robin became a new love as she learned the art of patience and the excitement of a new skill — how to not take it personally when her daughter was the teacher. Diane thrived in the community of the studio, often joking/bragging of her ‘special privileges’ as the teacher’s mom. With blueberry muffins and a welcoming smile, she was there working at every opportunity and became a friend and mother to us all. She was proud of her new skill and the work she put into becoming better at it, and was eagerly looking forward to gifting friends and family with pieces she was making.
Surviving Diane are her husband James, mother Koreen Smith, children Scott (Kimberly) LaMacchia, Robin (Steve) Spinner and Kevin (Stacey) LaMacchia. Gabby LaMacchia, Taylor, Alissa and Keegan Betts, Regan and Avery Spinner, Ethan, Taylor, Morgan and Samantha LaMacchia were blessed to have such a special Grandmother. Diane is also survived by her siblings Ed (Robbin) Smith of Castle Rock CO, Debra (Rick) Johnston of Mecosta MI, and Dwayne (Michelle) Smith of Charlotte MI. Nieces and nephews Andrea and Derrek Smith, Jody Johnston, Holly (Erik) Bishop, Mandy (Scott) Gauss, Shayne (Miranda) Smith, Aleisha (Justin) Koos have many fond memories of their Aunt Diane as do the great nieces and nephews Tatum, Nora, Maggie, Maicee, Hudson, Tucker, Adalynn, Emma, Hunter and Jaxxon.
Wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt, and friend; She was a gift to us all. Please carry your memories with you, and remember her; share them with those who loved her. Look around you; If someone could use a hand or a kind word, lift them up. Reach out to a friend. It is what she would do. In the days before her passing, she was happy. She was busy living. She was, and is, loved beyond measure.
Please join us in honoring the life of this wonderful human being. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 14th, at 1pm-3pm and 5pm-7pm at Gorsline Runciman funeral home in DeWitt. Memorial services will be held at Northpointe Church in DeWitt on Tuesday, November 16th, at 10am, followed by a luncheon in celebration of her life. Memorial contributions can be made to treasured friend and neighbor, Lily Bowen and family, through her gofundme page: https://gofund.me/dcc9731f
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grdewitt.com for the Mosier family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18