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Diane Jean Henige
Born: 4/23/1961
Died: 12/29/2024
Age: 63
Community: New Lothrop, MI
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Dianne Gene Henige
Dianne, a vibrant, talented, passionate, creative woman, passed away on December 29, 2024 in her home with her family.
Born on April 23, 1961 in Howell, Michigan, Dianne spent her childhood in Hartland where she fondly remembered riding her horse, Honey, and spending time with her cousins. She moved to New Lothrop in 1971 and graduated from New Lothrop High School in 1979.
While working at the New Lothrop Tavern, a bet over the price of a McDonald’s hamburger led to a first date with Denny. He won the bet and they both won in love. That $.35 hamburger led to a marriage and lifetime of love, support, and joy. The pair were married on August 23, 1980 and built a close-knit family. She lived a life full of love and happiness.
Dianne has always loved learning and sharing knowledge with others. A longtime classroom mom, PTA volunteer, day care worker, and babysitter, she wanted more and graduated with high honors from Mott College (1996) and University of Michigan-Flint (1999) and Marygrove College (2001) with degrees in education. She landed at Swartz Creek Middle School where she taught a variety of subjects including technology, English language arts, and social studies for 20 years. She prided herself on teaching her students to develop critical thinking skills and to form well-developed thoughts rather than repeating simple facts. Remembered by her co-workers as “The Henigator,” she loved leading the yearbook and thoroughly enjoyed building strong connections with her students, inspiring them with creative projects, and reading aloud from her favorite books.
Not one to sit idle, Dianne filled her down time to the brim with various passion projects over the years. She empowered young girls as a Girl Scout troop leader and led the craft unit at Girl Scout day camp for many years. She found passion and purpose outside of the classroom in teaching kids creative problem solving as an Odyssey of the Mind coach for 20 years. OM allowed her to teach her creative talents such as sewing, painting, drawing, creative writing, and more to countless kids over the years. She and Denny led 16 teams to the World Finals, including one World Championship team. Most importantly she provided warm, exuberant guidance to many children, who gained lifelong skills, left with unforgettable memories, and built lifelong friendships and even marriages.
An extraordinary baker, Dianne’s beautiful and tasty creations graced the tables of countless birthday parties, graduations, showers, weddings, and backyard gatherings. She and her top baking assistant, Denny, enjoyed being able to contribute to so many moments of celebration. She was always learning and improving, trying a new recipe or technique. Not content to just be a baker, she also taught others how to bake and decorate with frosting. From cookie decorating parties to volunteering to lead decorating lessons at schools to baking lessons with her grandchildren, she shared her knowledge, passion, and treats far and wide.
Though she always harbored a love of gardening, in her retirement she was really able to start work on a dream garden. From the tallest sunflowers to the tiniest fairy gardens, magic abounded in her yard. A few years ago, a stray milkweed plant grew and attracted a monarch butterfly. This set her on a path to learn more about native plants and pollinators. She raised monarchs from her garden, rescuing the eggs from garden predators ever since, releasing several hundred. She so loved sharing her butterfly knowledge with friends and family, especially her grandchildren
Of all the roles Dianne took on over the course of her life, there is none that she embraced with such zeal and joy as the role of Super Grandma. There is nothing she loved more than sharing her passions with her four grandchildren and supporting their interests as well. Our biggest sadness in her death is the loss of time they will get to spend with her.
Dianne found joy in traveling with Denny, her children, and her friends. Her favorite trips included Hawaii with the “camping group,” hiking and exploring Tahquamenon Falls Whitefish Point, Disney with the grandkids, and many, many camping with family and friends.
She also loved sewing and other crafty endeavors; reading books especially the Outlander series and children’s books to the kids; playing board games; Wordle; seeing plays and musicals especially Shakespeare plays in Stratford; collecting shells and stones on the beach, exploring museums; mimosa breakfasts on the porch; sitting on her garden swing; wandering through art fairs; and a good cup of tea. She leaves behind many unfinished projects. We will endeavor to complete those that we can in her memory, but we know some things are best left unfinished.
Dianne is survived by her loving, supportive husband of 44 years, Denny; her children Kristen Ochomogo and Oscar Ochomogo; Todd Henige and wife, Rose Henige; Caitlin Henige and partner, Casey Jacobs; her grandchildren Lillian Wadham, Ian Ochomogo, Luna Ochomogo and Arlo Ochomogo; her mother, Lorraine Glenn; her sisters, Dana Emmendorfer and husband, Eric, and Dawn Lutes and husband, Tim; mother-in-law, Virginia Henige; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Colleen and Dale Bitterman and Steve and Connie Henige; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends. She is predeceased by her father, Alvin Glenn, and her father-in-law, Ken Henige.
Taken much too soon by a rare, incurable breast cancer, she fought to stay with us until the very end. Her oncologist noted she was one of the bravest patients he had ever met and we were all humbled by her positive attitude, willingness to try any treatment no matter how awful, and determination to stay with us as long as she could. We have hope that she has now found comfort.
Dianne always believed that simple acts of kindness and generosity could have a much larger and more lasting impact than one could imagine. She lived her life according to this belief. Each butterfly saved could improve the world. Each smile given could leave a lasting impression. Each skill shared could leave a legacy. Each hug could turn someone’s day around. Each cupcake given could bring joy. Please endeavor to share a smile or hug, to grow a native plant, or to perform an act of kindness in her memory.
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Homes, Martin Chapel, 316 W Broad St, Chesaning, Mich., on Friday, January 3 from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, January 4 from 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. immediately followed by a Celebration of Life at 5:00 p.m. The family also welcomes friends and family to a funeral dinner following the service at the Chesaning Knights of Columbus Hall, 9171 Deitering Rd, Chesaning.
Gifts in her memory will be used to support local schools, PTAs, teachers, and libraries, and organizations supporting the conservation of monarch butterflies and pollinator habitats. If you would prefer to make a direct donation, a fund has been set up in her name with the Monarch Joint Venture at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/diannehenigememorialfund/. In lieu of sending flowers, please plant milkweed and pollinator-friendly flowers in your yard. |
Copyright © 2025 Direct Obits, LLC
| Visitation |
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1/3/2025 |
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2:00 PM |
Visitation will be held at McGeehan Funeral Homes, Martin Chapel, 316 W Broad St, Chesaning, Mich., on Friday, January 3 from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, January 4 from 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. immediately followed by a Celebration of Life at 5:00 p.m. The family also welcomes friends and family to a funeral dinner following the service at the Chesaning Knights of Columbus Hall, 9171 Deitering Rd, Chesaning.
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| Funeral Service |
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12/4/2025 |
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5:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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McGeehan Funeral Homes
316 W. Broad St.
Chesaning , MI 48616Get a Map to this location...
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