Diane E. VandenPlas

Diane E. VandenPlas (nee Benesh) passed on May 16, 2026, at the age of 69. Beloved wife of Mark for 38 years; devoted mother of Katie Sellars (Tim), Kelsey VandenPlas, Chantel Reiss (Zak), Melissa Becks (Joshua), Emily Phillips (Michael) and Adam VandenPlas; cherished grandmother of Aiden, Lucas, Jackson, Sophia, Aria, Zoey, Ellie, Rory, Tristan and Maisie; dear sister of Susan, David (Mary) and Thomas (Tania).

Diane, a name of French origin, means “heavenly” or, more specifically, “the shining one.” The name ultimately traces back to an ancient Indo-European root meaning “daylight” or “to shine.” Everyone who knew Diane VandenPlas knows her spirit was bright enough to light up a room, a home, an entire night sky.

Diane died peacefully in the embrace of a warm, sunny evening on Saturday, May 16th, 2026. True to her wishes, she was surrounded by her loving husband, Mark; her six beautiful children; and additional family and friends that loved her immensely. Diane fought a brave, unwavering battle against stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and though it took her life, it did not define it. And it will not define her spirit, her legacy, or her light that touched all of those around her.

Born and rooted in Minnesota to Ed and Phyllis Benesh, Diane was a bundle of sunshine the moment she entered this earth. The oldest of four children, Diane found herself in the kitchen often. She quickly discovered that cooking and baking for her siblings Sue, Dave, and Tom was not only something that she had a natural gift for, but also one of the most meaningful ways to care for others.

Diane spent most of her summers soaking up the sun across Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. She swam, boated, and fished, but above all else, she loved to sail. When the light hit just right, her blonde hair would glisten just as the water did when caught by the daylight. On Labor Day Weekend in 1987, her adventurous spirit brought her up to Lake Superior with the intention of sailing a 50-foot topsail ketch named Sheila Yeates. It was on the docks of Port Superior Marina where she and Mark first locked eyes, and where a great love story began.

Together Diane and Mark built a life anchored in love. Their wedding vows were locked up tight and the key was thrown forever into the shores of Lake Superior. They knew they wanted to fill their home with children, tradition, laughter, forgiveness, affection, and memories. Most importantly, they wanted that home to be a safe place that always left the light on for anyone who walked through the door. And that is exactly what they did.

In their 38 years of marriage, Diane and Mark raised six children who were given the space, time, and love to become uniquely themselves. Diane was destined for motherhood. More specifically, she was destined to be Mom to Katie, Kelsey, Chantel, Melissa, Emily, and Adam. She was sunshine as a mother. From themed birthday parties, fresh chocolate chip cookies, and front-row seats at every concert, recital, or game, to Saturday morning cleaning with music blasting out the windows, impromptu afternoon deck parties, road trips up North and down to Disney, and the most magical holidays imaginable, she was the warm glow that carried her children through childhood into adulthood.

Diane did motherhood so well that you might assume it filled her calendar completely. Yet she was also an accomplished professional in the commercial real estate loan and private equity space. Her career stretched across several major companies, including US Bank, Key Bank, Citizens, and Legacy Capital Partners. Across more than 30 years, she earned countless accolades and promotions, but what her coworkers learned most from Diane was that family comes first, hard work should always be celebrated, and there is always room for friendship in the professional spaces. She formed lifelong friendships with many of her coworkers that endure to this day.

Affectionately known as Mama V, Diane opened her home to everyone. Her children’s friends found a second mother in her. She lovingly referred to her sons-in-law, Tim, Zak, Josh, and Mike, as her “sons-in-love.” She celebrated other people’s victories and made room for them in times of need. She found a way to connect with every person she met. Her oncology team frequently shared that before discussing her own care, Diane would always ask how they were doing and what was happening in their lives.

Diane’s greatest joy in life came from her grandchildren. As much as she excelled at motherhood, there was a particular magic that was created when she became a grandma. Aiden, Lucas, Jackson, Sophia, Aria, Zoey, Ellie, Tristan, Rory, and Maisie made their grandma shine brighter than the sun. She wanted their memories of her to be warm, joyful, and fully engaged. Above all else, she loved pulling the tiny apron and chef hat from the closet to usher in a new generation of bakers in the family. Together they learned the art of the perfect fluffy pancake, the right amount of chocolate chips to add to a batch of cookies (an overflowing scoop), the best way to flood royal icing on a cookie so that the colors wouldn’t blend, and that vanilla is always the secret ingredient to a good recipe.

The recipes and traditions that Diane created became so deeply woven into the fabric of the family that it felt only natural - and perhaps destined - that she begin blogging and photographing each recipe. Ultimately, one of the most rewarding works of her life took shape when she became the author of her own cookbooks. Her first two were titled Sweetie Pies and Brownie Bliss. She spent her final year creating and perfecting a third cookbook entitled Santa’s Favorite Sweets & Treats, which perfectly encapsulates the holiday magic she created for her children and grandchildren over the past 38 years. In heaven, we imagine Diane just as she was on Earth: head of the baking club and never too busy to hear someone else’s story.

A life this special deserves a celebration. The family invites all who are able to attend a funeral Mass in her honor on Wednesday, May 27th at 11:30 a.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church 929 Pearl Rd., Brunswick (Everyone please meet at church). In addition, the family will receive friends from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, May 26th at the A. Ripepi & Sons Funeral Home 18149 Bagley Rd., Middleburg Hts (West of I-71).

In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Diane, her family asks that you put on some good music, open the windows, bake something sweet, and let a little more light into the world - just as she always did.