Dianne Nugent

Dianne Marie Nugent passed peacefully from this earth into heaven in the early morning of September 19, 2025 at the age of 89. Or the age of 22 if you count by leap years. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI on February 29, 1936, but as was the custom back then, her birthday was recorded as March 1.

Her parents were Charles Elwood Bignell and Helen Marie (Heether) Bignell. Her parents divorced when she was very young and both remarried. She has several half-siblings but was estranged from her father’s family in the early 1960’s. Her mother died in May 1970, and her father in October 1977. We do not know if her siblings survive.

Dianne married Charles Emmanuel Nugent on June 29, 1957 at St. Patrick’s Church in Parnell, MI. They divorced in 1981, but remained friends. Charles died on March 20, 1991. They had 3 children together Colleen Marie, Joseph Donley and Patrick Sean. Her son Joe and grandson Billy both preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter Colleen ‘Kelly’ Keating and her husband Bill, of Blanch, NC., her son Patrick and his wife Michelle of Ruidoso, NM and special daughter in love Debra Weber and husband David of Howard City, MI. Her grandchildren Toni Miller and Michelle Nugent of Battle Creek, who lovingly cared for her in her home in her final year; Shannon (Justin) Bennett, of Dexter, MI; Jonathan ‘Ty’ (Michelle) Keating, of Clemmons, NC; Katy (Fred) Hair, of St. Matthews, SC; Charles (DeeAnne) Nugent, of Bagdad, AZ; Crystal (Chris) Mack of Everett, WA; Colleen (Jordan) Williams of Lansing, MI; Ashley (Zach) Hansen of Lansing, MI ; Brianne (Alex Ball) Nugent of Mt Pleasant, MI and Ethan Nugent of the US Army at Ft. Hood, TX

She was GiGi to many great grandchildren, some by birth and others by marriage, she loved them all and often remarked on how she had so many! They are in no particular order: Emily Miller, Leah and Logan Halstedt, Madison, Evelyn, Adilyn and Lillyanne Keating. Gaberial and Alexie Nugent, Hayli and Amberlynn Mack, Jackson Bennett, Abigail and Caroline Keating, Zoe and Daytona Bennett, Kiiah Williams, Serenity and Alyssa Hoffman, Will, Preston and Joseph Hair. Nickolas, Ethan and Karlie Jording.

Throughout her life Dianne was feisty and independent. She had a quirky sense of humor and a song or quote for every situation. She was an avid reader and her collection of books was legendary! Her favorite authors were Nora Roberts, JD Robb, Anne McCaffrey and Linda Howard, and she loved all Harlequin Romances.

She was a big fan of opera music and especially loved Pavarotti and the Three Tenors and Il Divo. Dianne was a diehard Michigan State fan and especially loved Basketball and Football. For many years the San Diego Padres were her baseball team and Tony Gwynn was her most favorite player. She was also a big Detroit Tiger fan. Dianne had a love for jigsaw puzzles and passed this on to her daughter and several grandkids. She was a passionate collector of Dragons and could tell you where she got every one of them or who gave them to her. She was a big animal lover and always had dogs and cats, too many to name. She lived a long life and now she is at peace in heaven. At the end she finally accepted that Jesus died for her sins and she was loved and worthy.

The family would like to thank the hospice team at Centrica Care Navigators and the caregivers at Suji House in Marshall, MI for the care she received in her last months. There will be no service at this time but she will be laid to rest alongside her mother at her request sometime next summer. Memorial donations may be made to a local charity or hospice of your choice.