Diana Robbins

Our beloved mom, nana, and sister, Diana Lynn (Prior) Robbins, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 79 years old.

Diana was born on August 18, 1945, in South Bend, to the late Herbert Prior and Norine (Martin) Isbell. On September 7, 1963, she married the love of her life, Kenneth R. Robbins. Together they shared 51 years of marriage filled with laughter, love, and unwavering devotion before Kenny’s passing in 2015.

Diana was strong, independent, and loved her family fiercely. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and brothers were the center of her world. She grew up surrounded by a large group of cousins and remained close to many of them throughout her life—sharing memories, laughter, and love from childhood through adulthood. If you visited her home, you saw the love she had for her family displayed in every room—her walls covered in photographs, shelves filled with dozens of photo albums, each one carefully curated and cherished.

She is survived by her children: Tammy (Paul) Highland, Tracy Robbins, and Tara (Greg) Hunsberger. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Samantha Pratt, Melissa (William) Price, Stephanie Highland, Megan (Robbie) Allen, Michael Highland, Mitchell Hunsberger, Micaela (Tyler) Collins, and Monica (Distin) Tener. Diana was a proud Nana to her great-grandchildren: Breana, Emma, Nevaeh, Chloe, Kiera, Maverick, Barrett, Bodhi, Grace, Beckham, Lainey, and Wyatt.

She is also survived by her loving brothers, Terry (Marcia) Prior and Ronny Prior; her dear cousin, Fran Fuller; and many extended family members who brought her joy. Diana frequently played cards with her brothers and Marcia—gatherings filled with laughter, competition, and connection.

Diana deeply instilled the importance of family and unconditional love—values that will live on for generations. She was loved not only by her family, but by her neighbors and even the mail lady. She often sat outside her apartment and formed friendships with those around her. While bittersweet, it brought comfort to meet her neighbors, many of whom shared how much they loved mom. She had a way of filling the gap between people beyond her own family.

She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We love you, a bushel and a peck!

A celebration of Diana’s life will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 27 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Center for Hospice Care or Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center.