Dianne Elaine Hanna

DIANNE ELAINE HANNA ~~ EXTREMELY PROUD MOM – LIVED THROUGH HER CHILDREN Mrs. Hanna, age 54, died on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 in Linden, Michigan. She was born Dianne E. Vinyard on April 10, 1957 in Flint, Michigan to Paul and Arlene Vinyard. She was a resident of West Bloomfield, Michigan. Mrs. Hanna was a Sales Clerk for Macy's Department Store. As a very proud mom, Mrs. Hanna always spoke very highly of her children's accomplishments. And she never stopped talking about her grandson, Jordan. She put her family before herself. Mrs. Hanna was very protective of her children and couldn't watch their karate tournaments for fear they might get hurt. But she enjoyed watching them play sports – football (Mark & Mina) and swimming (Noelle). When the children visited her at work, all her co-workers knew them immediately even though they had never met. Mrs. Hanna loved being a "Merchandiser" – the sales and placement of clothes for sale. She just loved working retail – it was fun for her. She loved to talk about it as well, especially with her good friend, Stacey. She was her son, Mark's first passenger in a plane after he got his private license, and her mother, Arlene, was there also. Mrs. Hanna was very proud of Mark and Mina being in the U.S. Air Force, although she hated seeing them leave. She would cry even if they would be back in a week. Mrs. Hanna loved the pool, but hated the ocean and lake water. She was kind and loved animals. She adopted a stray kitten that turned out to be a nightmare, but she still loved him. She was her "daddy's little girl", and was absolutely heartbroken when he passed away on July 1, 2009. She was very close to her parents. Surviving husband: Nemr, M.D. Surviving Daughter: Noelle Hanna Surviving Sons: Mark and Mina Hanna Grandson: Jordan Loving mother and friend: Arlene Vinyard (the late Paul) Surviving Sisters: Sandra Geisert and Deborah Gregory Visitation: Thursday, May 12, 2011, from 6-9 PM at A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy, MI 48084 (between Maple and Big Beaver Roads) Funeral Service: Friday, May 13, 2011 – 12:00 Noon at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, 3603 Livernois, Troy, Michigan Interment: White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, Michigan Memorial Tributes may be made to: St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, 3603 Livernois, Troy, Michigan 48083 ~~~~ TRIBUTE TO DIANNE HANNA First, I want to thank everyone here who has decided to help us celebrate the life of my mother, Dianne Hanna. As I look out among you, I see many familiar faces, friends, coworkers, and family – today's attendance is a testament to how Mom lived her life. My Mom was one of the most amazing people I've ever met, or likely ever will meet. She spent her life placing the needs of others before her own and often went out of her way to reach those who truly needed a helping hand. Throughout her valiant fight against cancer, she was often more concerned with protecting her three children from the ugly side of this disease rather than focusing on her own struggle. She often made me promise to keep pressing on with my life, going to work, and taking on every day just as she taught me – with hard work and a smile. I had a particularly strong relationship with Mom - she was truly the guiding light throughout my life. If I had a good day, I would call her. If I had a bad day, I'd definitely call her. She always knew when to listen and when to provide a sage's advice – good or bad, I felt better after speaking to her. As a side note, if I did something stupid that would likely land me in hot water ... I'd call my brother first. Mom wasn't merely a mother to Mark, Noelle, and me – she was the rock that we held onto all of our lives. No matter what life threw at us, we knew that Mom would help us weather the storm. Furthermore, she was THE role model for the entire family – just knowing her made you want to be a better person. After her disease was diagnosed, the family rallied and returned the years of support and love – Aunt Sandy and Grandma never left her side from the beginning to the end. They did it not only because Mom would have done the same for them, but because her kind of unconditional love is contagious. She truly brought out the best in all of us. Mom's friends, Stacy, Dianna, Barb (and others) also answered the call and arrived to support her at her bedside. It wasn't merely to "be there" as a great lady was in transition from this world to heaven; they were there to celebrate the immensely positive impact Mom had on their lives. Her stamp of love was passed along to each lucky person that had the privilege and honor to know her. Dianne was truly in peace the last few months in this world due to the outpouring of love and support from family and friends. I thank you for being there for her. So much more could be said on Mom's behalf, but I will simply close with a final thought that represents the essence of what she meant to us all: For those of us who knew and loved her – she graced our lives. Thank you.