Dianne Close Heckler Weinert

 Dianne Close Heckler Weinert, on January 17, 2022 has left her earthly bonds to dance in the sky on laughter silvered wings. She died peacefully at her daughter’s Largo home in the loving arms of her family and two dogs after almost a yearlong battle with brain cancer.  Dianne leaves behind her children; Cynthia (Donald) Fagen, Steve (Sue) Smith, Christane (Rick) Conchiglia, and a niece, (like a daughter) Trina Close. She left 5 granddaughters; Rose, Connie, Kristen, Allison and Kaitlyn and two grandsons; Tony and Joe, also 9 great grandchildren. She has 2 surviving brothers; Brad (Ellen) and Greg (Doncelia) Close and her many Hubbell cousins, nieces, and nephews.  Dianne was predeceased by her husband of almost 40 years, James C. Weinert and grandson, Arthur Fagen in 2015. She also had a whirlwind 3 year marriage to William Heckler ending recently in divorce.

Dianne was born in Saginaw, Michigan to returned service members, Marjorie and Ferdinand Close, on 12/07/1945. The head of a national baby boom! Dianne was known for both her beauty and her brains. She married and started a family right after high school but she did not let that keep her from continuing her education. Newly divorced she struggled as a single mom but it didn’t stop her to earning a degree in Hygiene School at Delta College.  After remarrying she was determined and packed up 3 kids and a dog to move to Ferris State College to get her bachelor’s degree as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Eventually she earned her master’s degree from Nova.

Dianne loved golfing, sewing, traveling, face booking, cooking, mentoring, and socializing.  She has scores and scores of dear friends she met along the way, too many to mention. 

Dianne and Jim came to Florida in 1984 to escape a poor economy in Saginaw Michigan, and they prospered! But Dianne could never fully leave Michigan. Her love for the glacial blue water, the trees laden with apples, skiing at a public park, the pine forest at night, and baby white tail deer proved to be forever in heart.

She was always interested in issues like equity in education for girls, historical preservation, labor rights and public health, especially that of children.  She belonged to several clubs, Questors Clearwater chapter, Clearwater Country Club, she served treasurer Heritage Village. Also she helped some women’s civic organizations that help the underserved.

She was still smiling up until the last few days of her life and thanking us every day for the love and care she was receiving. She was absolutely amazing through her fight. She was determined to make that last trip to Michigan to spend time in the woods at her cabin, visit loved ones, and witness her grandson propose to the love of his life. Then her next goal was to see her granddaughter get married in Georgia to her soul mate and wear her beautiful blue dress to the wedding. She also wanted to make her famous meatballs for the Christmas Eve open house that she looked forward to and asked us every day if it was time to make them yet leading up to the holiday. She was so proud of her family and loved all of her friends and family dearly. We will miss her dearly and look forward to the day we see her again in heaven.   A celebration of life will be held in Michigan at a future date. Donations can be made in her honor to Heritage Village in Largo, FL or the local SPCA.


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