Diane DeMonaco

Diane A. DeMonaco, 78: She loved her family and the snowy woods and birds Up North

Life-time Michigander, Diane (Goltz) DeMonaco, died peacefully, January 13, after a short illness, with her loving daughters at her side. She was 78.

She was born December 7, 1942, in Detroit, to Harvey and Alice (Hintze) Goltz. She attended St. Veronica grade school in East Detroit, Regina High School in Harper Woods, and then graduated from St. Mary’s Commercial in downtown Detroit, after which she worked at Mary Jane’s shoe store on Woodward Ave. as a bookkeeper. Soon after, she married her handsome, beloved husband, Ronald (Ronnie) DeMonaco and joined him in England and then Germany where he was stationed with the Strategic Air Command. Later, they were stationed in Sault St. Marie, MI and Aurora, CO. Once out of the service, they moved to Clinton Township and later, Harrison Township, to raise their family.

After years as a stay-at-home mom and homemaker, Diane stepped back into the workplace in the role of office manager for several firms. In her early 40s, she also became caretaker for her husband who died after five years of suffering from ALS. Later, she devoted herself to helping raise two grandsons and caretaking for her son-in-law Mark, during his long illness. After retiring, Diane realized her dream of a house in the snowy woods Up North in Higgins Lake where her days centered around bird watching, books, jigsaw puzzles—and her sweet dog, Missy. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she celebrated at the highest level. Her family was endowed with food, fun, gifts, and love. She was an equally generous donor to various organizations. 

Diane is survived by her son, Joseph DeMonaco, and beloved daughters and their loving and supportive husbands, Sherri (Mark) Mignot, and Tracy (John) Martinelli; by her granddaughter, Jade DeMonaco, and by her most cherished grandsons, Ronny (wife, Ali) and Brendan Szep, and Johnny Martinelli; and, just recently, by the light of her life, great-grandson Hudson Szep. She is also survived by her siblings, Harvey Goltz Jr., Valerie Beck, Robert (Bob) Goltz, Charlene Goltz, and Brian Goltz—as well as her steadfast and loving companion, Missy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie; by her son-in-law Mark Szep; and by her parents, Harvey and Alice Goltz.

Arrangements are with Lee-Ellena Funeral Home. Prayer service and entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township on Saturday, January 16 at 11:00 AM.

Facemasks and social distancing is required at the cemetery. If you are feeling unwell, or ill, please stay home.

With our deepest gratitude for your kindness, in lieu of flowers, please donate in Diane’s honor and in memory of Mark Szep, her beloved son-in-law who died in 2012, to Gift of Life Michigan, 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.