Diane Catherine Gutowski

Diane was born on April 15, 1949 to Joseph F. and Eileen Maszlewski (Girard). She was a happy child and smiled a lot. She grew up on the west side of Detroit and attended St Peter & Paul Catholic School. She graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit in 1967.

She took a job as a researcher for Parke-Davis and Company after high school. She met Art and they were married in 1968 and started a family together, and moved to Dearborn. She became a stay-at-home mother, devoting her time and attention to raising her three boys, participating in many of their school activities, including field trips to Washington, DC. When they were old enough, she returned to the work force, taking a part-time job with JoAnn Fabrics. She next took a job as a bus aide for the Dearborn Public Schools, where she worked primarily with special needs children. This job was a gateway to her calling of opening the eyes, ears, and minds of all children as a para-professional. While working at the schools, she obtained her Associates Degree in Education from Henry Ford Community College, with honors, at the age of 50. She worked with children at many of the Dearborn elementary schools, and eventually began teaching other para-professionals. She was instrumental in putting together programs for students and educators, and attended national conferences, and presented in Lansing. She retired after 26 years of service.

Diane was an avid reader, belonging to two book clubs. She was an advocate for childhood literacy, and would engage anyone in conversation about any writing. She was an amateur photographer, and had one of her pictures published for the Michigan Reading Recovery Institute. She loved to go fishing, or just cruising on the boat. She was a member of the Port Sanilac Fish Pack, and was a director for the Bark Shanty Sail Club. She loved to travel, especially around Michigan, but also abroad. She spent many summers with her family on the farm near Quincy, at the cottage in Lake George, and visiting her sister in Marquette. She and Art celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on Mackinac Island. They also took a cruise that included Key West, Cozumel, and Belize. She enjoyed every new experience and never lost her warm smile.

God took Diane into His hands on November 5, 2016, leaving behind her loving husband, Arthur J. Gutowski, a dear sister Barbara Mazlewski and wife Beth Wendricks, brother Joseph Maszlewski, and brother Charles Maszlewski and wife Joyce. She was the devoted mother of Arthur J (A.J.) Gutowski Jr with grandsons Daryll and Kyle Seitz, and Brian Gutowski and wife Jessica, with grandson Tyler Reed. She was the very proud great-grandmother of Genevieve Millisor.  She goes to meet her parents, son Christopher, who passed in 2013, and daughter-in-law Lisa (married to AJ), who passed in 2015.

Visitation to be held Friday, 2-8pm at the Dearborn Chapel of the Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 22546 Michigan Avenue. Funeral Service to be held Saturday, 11:00am, at the funeral home.