Diane Louise Kaipio

Diane Louise Kaipio, age 79, passed away peacefully on September 9th 2025 surrounded by her loving family and the memories of a life well lived. An old sentimental soul with a celebratory spirit, Diane was a devoted wife of 58 years to Norman, dedicated Mother to Jennifer (partner Reid Ruberti) and Monica (husband Jeff Platt) and dear Grandmother to Peyton and Brayden.

Born in Detroit on March 31st 1946 to Gregory (d.1995) and Leocadia (who will be 102 October 13th) Tigani, eldest sister to Denise and brothers Greg and Jim. Early on she helped her mother with her siblings, getting them bathed and into bed, when they couldn't sleep she sang Ava Maria to them. She attended Clarenceville H.S. where she was a cheerleader and developed fond lifetime memories. After graduating, she left home at 18, rented a room and began working at the upscale retail store Winkleman's in Detroit and then Ford Motor Company until she would take on her most cherished role as a wife and stay-at-home mom.

Diane and Norm, Norman and Diane - where one was the other was sure to be. A love story for the ages. They were destined to be together - they grew up across the street from one another but didn't actually meet until one winter's day when they were ice skating in the neighborhood ditches. At the tender age of 12 years old, her fate was set, they began a friendship then courtship that would stand the test of time. Little did Diane know that the key to Norman's heart was a home cooked meal so once he was invited over to his first sit-down Tigani dinner, that sealed the deal - from then on it was a running joke with his future father-in-law…dinner time would come around and suddenly so would Norman. Married on June 3rd 1967 it was the most important relationship and her most valued accomplishment with a special anniversary celebration yearly. As of late, Diane and Norm would spend many evenings and almost all holidays with her Mother and sister over at the home she grew up in making those homemade specialties, having lots of laughs and just enjoying each other's company.

Diane had many talents - she began cake decorating in her home, initially making cakes for family members but soon turning this hobby into a very lucrative business. She made wedding cakes and portrait cakes (depicting someone's face on a cake, back in 1980, she was well ahead of her time), those cakes were very popular and she would complete up to 25 sheet cakes in a weekend. Perhaps when working through the night, this is when her favorite past-time of watching old movies on the Turner Classic Movie station was born. She became a little bit of a local celebrity making a portrait cake for boxers Tommy Hearns, Mickey Goodwin and Hilmer Kenty and was a guest on the television show Kelly & Company, showcasing the hosts John Kelly and Marilyn Turner's faces on a portrait cake during the show as well as local tv personality Bill Kennedy where his portrait cake was featured on his show 'Bill Kennedy at the movies'. She worked with various other people connected to that industry as well. Around the neighborhood she was known as 'The cake lady. She traveled the U.S. attending cake conventions. Eventually she would broaden her wedding services designing silk flower centerpieces, bouquets, hair pieces, wrist corsages as well as framed invitations (another creation before it's time) - back in those days there were no pre-made flower imports, she had to make the flowers for her arrangements, petal by petal. Many weekends she would work to sell her creations, displaying her silk floral arrangements at various craft shows with her daughters in tow. She was particular, and believed that there was a certain way to do things. She worked hard and never complained.

Additionally - and some in the family regard this as her finest talent - Diane was a gifted seamstress, sewing beautiful clothing for herself, her daughters and other family members which included 2-piece suits, baby clothes, winter coats, the famous tube of toothpaste and tooth halloween costume, Christening gowns, wedding veils, bridesmaid and prom dresses and countless other masterpieces. She was a beautiful painter and created oil paintings on wood as well. Each year she would enter the State fair in a multitude of categories and would end up winning first place or Best of Show. One year she decided to enter the pie contest with her grandmother's blueberry pie recipe- we watched as one by one - 200 pies were eliminated until hers was the one left standing and awarded the Blue Ribbon!

Best of Show Ribbons and Blue Ribbons aside, by far her most prideful accomplishment was raising her daughters Jennifer and Monica - her "girls" as she called them.They were her shining glory and her #1 priority and they felt every bit of that growing up as she was always there for them. She was pretty over-protective at times, understandably, she was guarding what she considered her prized possessions. She would take them to school and to their multiple activities, volunteer anywhere she could to be involved in what they were doing. During their high school years she applied some of her craft skills as they worked on their class floats - she led the events committee, organized and decorated for the senior all night parties for all Senior classes and hosted parties for homecoming, enabling many to have a memorable experience and benefit from her talents.

She made a point to engage in every aspect of her daughter's lives offering her guidance, support and unconditional love, interjected with some fun. At times living through them, but all the while documenting every moment of it on video - in fact, childhood friends lovingly nicknamed her 'The Camera lady'. She let the girls have many sleepovers with neighborhood friends where they would swim in the pool at midnight and when they got back into the house they'd be greeted with BLT's. Tea parties morphed into a 'steeped' tradition where the three of them - and now, still, the girls make it a daily practice to enjoy multiple cups a day. Everything she did was over the top. The grandkids recall a day trip to the Toledo zoo, they pulled over to have a picnic and Grandma pulled out a tablecloth, special set-up and her wet ones - she always added her personal touches to elevate the situation even if it was just cutting the sandwiches a certain way. She didn't pack light and never left the house without multiple bags. Whether it was attending her grandson's football game or a two week family vacation she found a way to make it more enjoyable with extra snacks and blankets - she could not do simple and she didn't know how to 'rough-it'! She used to get razed a little for it but she could take a joke. She had high standards and didn't make apologies for it. She could be tough and stubborn - Her expectations were high for both herself and for anyone in her circle but we appreciated that. She led by example. She was the best mom.

Diane truly enjoyed cooking and baking, it was the way she showed her love - every night her family could count on a home cooked meal with Italian, Hungarian and Polish recipes that were handed down from generations. On Paczki day, she made homemade paczkis, during Easter she made homemade Easter bread as well as homemade Perogies. Every holiday was an opportunity for Diane to make it extra special for all in attendance with her Blueberry, Cherry, Lemon meringue, Pumpkin, Apple pies and a family favorite - upside down pineapple cake. Christmas, however, was by far though her favorite holiday - decking out the home with all her beautiful Christmas silk floral pieces and making nothing short of 15 different cookie recipes along with pizzelles and a fruit cake. As you can imagine, that level of work is humanly impossible and she would show up at most holidays absolutely exhausted. However, she had her hair done, make-up on and a festive outfit for the occasion! She was selfless that way and didn't care what doing all of this did to her, it was all about making it special for her family with the traditions in place. She honored her mother, great grandmothers and great aunts by carrying on their recipes and traditions, passing them on to the next generations, in hopes that we will do the same. Family was everything to Diane - She created Christening gowns for her grandchildren, nieces and nephews hoping they would honor it with the next generations to come. She showed us that this is what is special and unique about being a member of her family and with that she created a legacy rich in tradition that could be carried on.

Diane's true happiness was on full display when in those celebratory moments that create the memories of a lifetime, she was able to contribute in her unique and extra special way to make others happy. She loved a party, especially birthdays. Every birthday was celebrated with one of her creative cake designs, the design of the celebrant's choice and the birthday meal of their choice just her gifted way to make you feel special on your day. It was a big part of who she was and perhaps that is why she chose to depart this earthly plane on her grandson's birthday - her final way to commemorate him for the years to come, what she struggled to convey emotionally and in words on earth - it is her way of aligning their Souls eternally.

Diane was living her life as God intended - excelling with the amazing gifts that were bestowed upon her. She went all-in on family and whatever project she put her mind to - she did it to perfection. Now she can rest and enjoy the legacy that she helped to create.

Please join us in honoring Diane, Monday September 22nd, 2025, viewing 1 pm - 8 pm (rosary at 7 pm).

Charles Step Funeral home 18425 Beech Daly (Between 6 & 7 mile), Redford Michigan 48240

September 23rd, 2025, 11 am Mass

St. Valentine's Church

14841 Beech Daly, Redford Township MI 48239