Dian H. Wurdock

WURDOCK, DIAN ELLIOT HASKELL Age 88, of Royal Oak, died peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2020 surrounded by her three children and dear grandchildren. Dian was born December 2, 1931 to Ted and Grace Haskell in Chicago, IL. Dian's family moved to Royal Oak in the early 1930's where she remained her entire life. Dian graduated from MacMurray College for Women in Jacksonville, IL with a degree in Education. She taught 1st grade at Lincoln Elementary and later served as Director of Christian Education at the Royal Oak First United Methodist Church where she wrote curriculum, taught workshops on a wide variety of faith development topics and demonstrated to several generations of children how to love and follow Christ. Apart from her job, she actively participated in numerous church councils, societies, and committees including United Methodist Women, Choir Camp and the Banner Maker Team. A highlight of her volunteer activity at ROFUM was launching the Bethlehem Marketplace; a live, walk-through drama recreating how the village of Bethlehem might have been at the time of Jesus' birth. She was also proud to lead and direct a local chapter of the national non-profit Kids on the Block; a troupe of lovable puppets who engaged and entertained local elementary students by presenting engaging and interactive skits teaching about specific disabilities as well as wider themes of friendship, community building and inclusion. For 25 years, Dian also made time to serve on Oak Apple Run Race Staff representing the First United Methodist Church. Dian was an active and proud supporter with Royal Oak Dondero Band Boosters and Royal Oak Historical Society as well as other groups too numerous to name. In 1994 the city of Royal Oak honored Dian by presenting her the Citizen of the Year award which acknowledged appreciation and gratitude for her years of community involvement, spirit and leadership. This honor included a proclamation from MI Governor John Engler. Dian poured so much into the lives and hearts of many people, young and old, but always kept a special place in her life for her two granddaughters Alaina and Lauren. They were such a bright spot in her life and she in turn was a beacon of love to them. She relished time spent laughing, loving and adventuring with them and was especially overjoyed to be able to cuddle and adore her five great-grandchildren. In her leisure time, beginning with her grandparents, Rev. Philip and Georgianna Hasenstab, Dian spent an entire lifetime of summer holidays spanning seven generations at the beloved family cottage, Delyte Lodge, enjoying the rarified air in Assembly Park on beautiful Delavan Lake in Wisconsin. Dian and husband Tom Wurdock were married for 59 years and raised their three children together in a loving household in Royal Oak. Left to cherish her memory are her children Steven of Ada, Deborah (Jeff) Jablonski of Troy, Peter of Royal Oak; Grandchildren: Alaina Weathers Michael Henry of Wyandotte, Lauren (Jon) Krzeszak of Madison Heights, Steve Jablonski and Kate Jablonski also of Madison Heights; Great-grandchildren Autumn and Nora Henry of Wyandotte, Ben Cornell of Madison Heights, Dax and Delaney Krzeszak also of Madison Heights. Memorial visitation Wednesday, Sept. 30th from 3-8 p.m. at the Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Road (4 blocks E of Woodward), Royal Oak. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, the funeral home is limited to 10 people in the visitation room at any given time and masks are required to enter the building. Private family memorial service Thursday, Oct. 1st at the First United Methodist Church of Royal Oak which will be streamed for on line viewing, followed by a public memorial lunch at the Royal Oak Farmers Market at noon. Please RSVP to 248-246-3099 if attending the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Royal Oak First United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association. Share a memory at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com. Funeral livestream link: http://rofum.org/funeral

Dian H. Wurdock

December 2, 1931 - September 20, 2020