Diane Kimoto Bonetti

06/19/1956

06/21/2019

Bonetti – Diane Kimoto Bonetti, 63, died June 21, 2019 at Spectrum Health with her family and friends by her side.  She is proceeded in death by her Father, Sanji Kimoto and Mother Renee Mizrany Kimoto.  She is survived by her husband, Jim Bonetti and her son Hunter Kimoto Myers.  Diane was born on June 19, 1956 in Long Beach California and was soon adopted by Sanji and Renee Kimoto. She was raised in Long Beach helping with the family’s Shooting Gallery business and spending many summers in Hawaii with her Kimoto family. As a young girl she was selected to perform in the musical “The King and I” and did so with her flair and personality.  Diane graduated from high school and continued her education by earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University.  She went on to earn her Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in Communication.  She moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1996 and soon began her teaching career at Grand Valley State University in the School of Public, Non-Profit and Health Administration.  For over 20 years she taught undergraduate and graduate students in public administration, grant writing, and research methods. She loved teaching and her students loved her.  Many would come back to visit with her to share their lives and get guidance over food and drink.  Diane also volunteered her time to work with others in the community. She served as Chairperson for Healthy Kent 2010 where she weaved her students into the various coalitions to work on “real life” health issues.  She was active with United Way’s Children Ready to Succeed Investment Council and was always willing to help non-profits with grant writing.  In 2012, Diane had a brain aneurysm that most would not survive, but within a year, Diane was back to teaching like before and was considered a walking miracle. In the years that followed, Diane lived her life full with family, friends and travels to Hawaii, Mexico and her favorite location Costa Rica. In May while in Costa Rica, Jim and Diane renewed their wedding vows amongst family and had plans to return next year.  The family would like to thank the physicians, nurses and social workers at the Spectrum Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center’s ICU and the superior care provided to her. As could be expected, Diane had agreed to organ donation and was able to give to the Gift of Life of Michigan.  Memorial contributions may be made in Diane’s name to Mary Free Bed Foundation, 235 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.  Visitation will be Sunday, June 30, from 1pm – 2:30pm with a Scripture Service held at 2:30pm at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids. There will be a celebration of her life from 3:30pm to 7:00pm at her home located at 6116 Chamonix Ct, Grand Rapids MI 49546.

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4 Responses

  1. May God bless Diane and give strength to Jim and Hunter during this time of grief and reflection.
    Diane was a giving, caring and fun friend. The “kids” will miss her.

  2. From the moment we started spending time together in Hawaii I knew life would be unreal and crazy. That’s just how we were… crazy lolo cousins. I heard you parting and making noise in heaven this week. Hawaii had an unusual wickedly fierce thunderstorm that woke us at 3am demanding an audience. That’s how I’ll always remember you. Gone but never be forgotten!
    Aloha Princess Di.

  3. Diane & I started 1st grade at Holy Innocents, in Long Beach, & went to school together for 10 years. She was always a beautiful person, & was always an honor student. Her parents owned a Jewelry shop & after School she would walk with my sister & me on our way home & she would go to the shop. Her parents loved her soo much & were soo proud of her. I knew she would go far. I am soo happy she found love & had a family, & what a great career. I remember when she found out she was adopted, at 1st she was upset, but soon figured out her parents had CHOSEN her to LOVE. For her to become a teacher, she just shared the love, that she had received. Now she joins the other Holy Innocents, watching over us all. Love you Diane!

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