Dianne Lee Arbuckle

In October of 2020, Dianne Lee Arbuckle rang a bell to celebrate her fifth anniversary of being free of the breast cancer that she bravely fought for years. A wife, mother, grandmother and fighter, she died in Traverse City on January 7, 2021 at the age of 73.

Dianne was born Amber Dianne Lee in Norfolk, Virginia on August 26, 1947 to Herman and Amber (Hollingsworth) Lee. She grew up there and met a young sailor with the U.S. Navy named Daniel; they married and raised two children.

In 1983, Dianne and family moved to Michigan. She worked at Little Red Shoe House, Normans and Walmart. She faced health concerns that eventually forced her retirement from Walmart and, in 2011, Dianne mourned the loss of her husband.

Retired and widowed, Dianne moved in to Sheldon Place in Gaylord where she found a community of women who bonded over similar stories and made lifelong friends. Making friends was a gift for Dianne who was a kind person, loved unconditionally and always put the welfare of others before her own.

Dianne was predeceased by her loving husband Daniel, parents Herman and Amber and sister, Virginia Lee.

Dianne is survived by her daughters, Melissa (Joel) Novak and Angela (Kevin) Jones; grandsons, Tyler, Nathan and Kyle; brother, Louis (Dottie) Lee and sister, Judith Phillips and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be scheduled in the late spring, early summer. Details will be announced at a later date.

Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Dianne to the Otsego County United Way TACKLE Program. This transportation program was a blessing during her treatment and instrumental in her fight and victory over cancer.

Arrangements are entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City.