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2-18-2020 11:38am
Diane Friese, Educator and AuthorIllustrator, Served on the Saline Board of Education
Diane Lynn Friese, age 72, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2020 in Ann Arbor, MI. Diane was born on September 22, 1947 in Detroit, the daughter of John C. and Shirley J. (Lain) Hartley.
On June 21, 1969 she married David A. Friese at the Grosse Pointe Presbyterian Church in Grosse Pointe and he survives. She was a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, receiving her BS degree in January of 1970 and her MA in December 1975. She dedicated over 25 years to serving special needs children in Ann Arbor, Manchester, Milan and Wayne Westland from where she retired in 2010.
Diane was a published author and illustrator of children books. She was a founding member of Kindred Spirits Publishing with college friends, Chris Bak and Nancy Zoellmer, before branching out on her own. She displayed a passion for interior decorating and genealogy research. Diane also greatly enjoyed the time spent with her book groups. Before her illness forced her to step down, she was a member of the Saline Area Schools Board of Education.
In addition to her husband David, survivors include their son Michael Friese, her mother Shirley Hartley, brother Bruce (Artees) Hartley, stepsister Janet and husband John, brother-in-law Gordon, sister-in-law Mary Anne, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father John C. Hartley, stepfather Robert Rhode and mother and father-in-law Emma and Rudolph Friese.
Cremation has taken place and a gathering will take place in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA (aspca.org/ways-to-give) or to the American Breast Cancer Support Association. To leave a memory you have of Diane, to sign her guestbook, or for more information please visit rbfhsaline.com
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