Diane Haase

Diane Haase, of Atlanta, Georgia, died peacefully on September 30, 2023 at Emory Decatur Hospital following a series of illnesses. She was 73 years old.

Born in small-town Amsterdam, NY to Arthur and Shirley Haase, Diane grew up in even-smaller-town Canajoharie, NY. She showed early talent as a singer, performing with church and school choirs. Her dedication to her family started young as her brothers would retreat outside after dinner while Diane stayed and listened to her grandmothers share family stories.

She graduated from Canajoharie High School in 1968, shortly before the family re-located to Webster, NY. Following a cameo at Woodstock and a brief stint at SUNY Potsdam as a music education major, Diane began a career in office administration. She married David Clausen in 1974 and had their only child, Erica, two years later. The family settled in Rochester, NY, where Diane spent evenings and weekends performing. She sang with a jazz ensemble, The Free Spirit; donned sequins and belted showtunes with her mother in Webster’s famous Melo-Wives; sang and acted in community theater productions; and as a choir member and drama leader at Webster Baptist Church, sparked a lifelong passion for applying theater and music in worship.

After separating from David and having grown weary of shoveling snow, Diane packed up for Marietta, GA, following both of her older brothers, who had already fled south. Diane continued to work at various companies in office management and administration until her retirement. To supplement her income as a single mother, she ran a weekend cake decorating business out of their apartment. Missing her days in The Free Spirit, Diane founded Emanon, a vocal jazz ensemble that performed throughout metro Atlanta.

Outside of her family, Diane’s greatest loves were music and theater. She captivated audiences with animated performances and a lilting soprano that could fill any sanctuary or recital hall. In the late 1990s, Diane joined St. Mark United Methodist Church in midtown Atlanta. A beloved member of the Chancel Choir, she dedicated herself to the growth of the church’s drama department and to fostering the love of arts in those who were lucky enough to work with her.

Diane is survived by her daughter Erica Clausen-Lee, daughter-in-law, Mary Keathe Lee, and grandson, Rigby Lee; her brothers Art (Sherry) Haase, Barry (Alicia) Haase, and Jeff Haase; nieces and nephews who loved Aunt Dinah; and a host of chosen performing family.