Dianne K. Birney

 

Dianne Birney (68) left us suddenly, unexpectedly and tragically on December 22, 2022.

Dianne was born on March 19, 1954 in Flint Michigan and spent her early childhood living with her mother, grandmother and grandfather.
It was in that home that she was affectionately known by her nickname “Cookie”. She is still known as Cookie to many relatives.

Her family settled in Mason, where she graduated from Mason High School in 1972. She then attended LCC where she completed her nursing degree in 1979. Dianne spent many years as a labor and delivery nurse at Lansing General. She then returned to school to further her education. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Michigan State University in 1994 and then her Master’s Degree in Nurse Midwifery from Case Western University in 1996. She completed her higher education degrees while working as a nurse and raising four school aged children.

She followed her heart, working primarily in women’s health for over
45 years as an OB nurse, Certified Nurse Midwife, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She had worked throughout the field of midwifery in full-scope private practice, several clinics with hospital based birth, as a clinical nursing instructor, in well woman care and family planning and as a Triage Midwife. Most recently, Dianne had joined forces with her daughter, Caroline, specializing in breastfeeding support. In order to continue this work she helped found Next Generation Lactation Service. This non-profit is continuing to help new families in the Lansing area.

Dianne’s anthropological studies prepared her with a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives, people, and cultures leading to a lifelong passion for domestic, and world travel. Her travels took her to Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland), Africa (Rwanda, Egypt), South Pacific (Tonga, Fiji), Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Aruba and all over the United States.

 

She was a passionate hobbyist. Throughout her life she was a knitter, basket weaver, stained glass artist, quilter and master gardener. As a steward of the earth, she was currently turning her 15-acre property into a bee, butterfly and wildlife sanctuary. She was recently granted a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation for her property.

 

Dianne was an entrepreneur throughout her life. She was a founder of The Shire, The Peaks and Valleys Roofing Company, World’s Together Travel, Makemos Farms, Next Generation Lactation Service and Web Designs by D. In addition to her own businesses, Dianne played an integral role in many other businesses run by her close friends and family.

Dianne played an active role in her community through her volunteer work. She traveled with her daughter Alice to Louisiana and Florida to work in the disaster relief kitchen. While at the kitchen Dianne made a point at each meal to eat with a different individual to bear witness to their story in their time of need. She was a long time volunteer at Wheatland Music Organization where she saw a need for activities to occupy adolescents and co-founded the Middleground area which continues to grow and be a highlight of many festival goers.
Locally she volunteered at Lansing Baby Cafe where she provided lactation support, as well as being a tremendous baby holder and grandma to all that attended.

Dianne was a supportive wife, an adoring grandmother, an exquisite teacher, a protector of women, a great humanitarian, an astonishing baby-whisperer, an attentive listener, a best friend to many and the ultimate mother…a true masterpiece. She will be remembered as generous, strong-willed, humble, wise, honest, tender, tough, determined, organized, interested, forgiving, understanding and caring by her enormous web of community she created.

She was preceded in death by her parents Peg & Gene Goodman, in-laws Virginia & James Birney, sisters-in-law Janet & Toni Birney.

She will be deeply missed by her extensive loving family. Husband David, children Alice, Ben (Anne), Caroline (Tim) Passariello, Sarah (Bryan), beloved grandchildren Sophia, Ruby, Sebastian, Theodore, sister and best friend Lisa Goodman and her two daughters Emma and Tessa, brother Mark (Patty) Goodman. New found siblings Neile
(Patrick) Davis and Shea (Terri) Fitzgerald. Her Husband's siblings Jim Birney, Luanne (Doug) Dancer, Bill, Pat (Annette), Dick (Robin),
17 additional Nieces and Nephews and many, many other close friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Dianne’s name to:
The Dianne Kay Birney Scholarship Fund at Next Generation: 6920 S. Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48911, Planned Parenthood: Att. Online Services, PO Box 97166, Washington, DC 20090-7166 or The Bee & Butterfly habitat fund (www.beeandbutterflyfund.org)

A Celebration of Dianne's life will be held Sunday, January 15, 2023,
12:00 noon at Palmer, Bush and Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Holt Chapel. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. and will host a gathering after the service with appetizers and refreshments.