Diane Mnookin Arnell passed away peacefully on Feb. 4, surrounded by her family after a short illness.
Diane was predeceased by her parents, Nathan and Esther Mnookin; her husband, Norman Arnell; and her sisters, Natalie Garrett and Barbara Mnookin.
Diane was born on April 25, 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri, and lived most of her life in the KC Metro Area. Diane attended the University of Illinois where she met her husband, who was a law student there. After a brief stint in Chicago, the couple moved back to Kansas City, where he practiced law for more than 50 years, and she was, by turns, a housewife, a seasonal employee at the Internal Revenue Service, a volunteer for many charitable causes and an employee at the Community Blood Center, where she donated nearly 100 pints of blood over her lifetime.
Diane was known for her kindness, playful nature, generosity and wit. Some of her philanthropic endeavors included the National Council of Jewish Women, the Menorah Medical Center Auxiliary, being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), performing in Kiddie Kapers at the JCC for at least 20 years, and serving on the board of KC Hospice in its early years (where she spent her final days).
Diane was a lifelong member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah and a longtime member of Oakwood Country Club. Diane was an avid bridge player, loved card and word games (she played a mean game of Scrabble and spent many hours with her children and grandchildren playing gin and cribbage), traveling with the family (especially with her grandchildren) and playing golf for about 40 years, breaking 90 frequently in her prime but never hitting a drive more than 150 yards (but you could count on it being in the fairway).
Diane is survived by her three children, Steve of Overland Park, Kansas, Nate (Heidi Hellring) of Maplewood, New Jersey, and Lisa Clarke (JR Clarke) of Prairie Village, Kansas; five grandchildren, Nicole Arnell (Eddie Smith) of Los Angeles, California, Max Arnell (Kate Fetrow) of Brooklyn, New York, Jessie Arnell (Zack Griffiths) of Brooklyn, and Scott and Ian Clarke, both of Prairie Village; and one great-grandchild, Theo Arnell, of Brooklyn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a charity of one’s own choosing. A memorial service will be held at a later date.