Diane Lucille Nicolaou

Diane was born in Missouri to Opal Jean and Leonard “Pete” Righter. Opal, Pete, and Diane’s brother Jeff preceded her in death. The rest of her siblings—Joe, Barbara, Pat, Dan, and Doug—survive, as do her children, Amy (Bill Campbell) and Steven; her stepdaughter Elitza Nicolaou (Chris Fieldhouse); her adopted German son Calli Flothmann; her grandchildren Kirsten, Noah, Jack, and Lexie Campbell; many nieces and nephews; and the love of her life, her husband Greg Nicolaou.

Diane began her career as a cardiac sonographer at Ingham Medical Center in Lansing, after graduating from the Seventh Day Adventist Academy in Grand Ledge and studying sonography in San Francisco. When she and Greg decided to move to Traverse City, she was recruited to help the team at Grand Traverse Heart set up their very first echocardiography suite. Her kindness, skill, and leadership endeared her to her patients and coworkers, many of whom became dear, lifelong friends.

Diane was a lifelong member of the Seventh Day Adventist church, and was active in the Seventh Day Adventist communities in Lansing and Traverse City. The members of her congregations always benefited from her incredibly giving nature and infinite capacity for baking amazing treats. Whenever a church member needed a hot meal or a good conversation, they could count on Diane for both.

Throughout her 20-year battle, she never stopped crafting, cooking, praying, or learning. A truly creative person, Diane stayed busy after her retirement with scrapbooking, bow hunting, hunting for Petoskey stones in Leelanau County, soap making, finding hidden treasures on sale racks, traveling, hosting legendary family dinners, and taking care of all who she loved—and there were so many lucky people she counted in that number.

A small visitation and service will be held at the Traverse City SDA church on February 14. Rather than sending flowers, Diane’s family asks that you remember her with a donation to the Traverse City Seventh Day Adventist church, and to think of her whenever you’re with the people you love the best or doing the things that make you the happiest.