Diane Ison

Diane “Dee Dee” Marie Ison

Dee Dee was born on October 10, 1955, in Billings, MT to William Deffinbaugh and Mary Deffinbaugh (Thatcher) and passed away peacefully at her home in Belfair, WA on August 26, 2025. She grew up in Ryegate, MT. After graduation from Ryegate High School in 1973 she relocated to San Diego, CA. She moved to Port Orchard, WA in 1977 and began a 30-year career at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. She met her future husband Lee in 1991, and they were married on August 22, 1992.

Dee Dee loved travelling, camping and many trips to Montana to visit family mostly in the family fifth wheel trailer. Dee Dee’s and Lee’s trips included a 7-week trip to Alaska, a 5-week trip to California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and home in the fifth wheel. In 2015 the entire month of August was spent in Scotland, England, Isle of Man and Ireland.

She was avid in studying her family roots to the point she was often heard talking about these relatives as though she had known them even if they were four generations removed from living.

Sister Dee Dee Ison petitioned Belfair Chapter #241 on September 7, 1994, and was initiated into Belfair Chapter on December 7, 1994. Sister Dee Dee served as Worthy Matron of Belfair Chapter three times. In 2003-04 Sister Dee Dee served as a “June Bug” Deputy Instructor for WGM June Lee, and on June 30, 2004, she was installed as Grand Adah of the Monarch Grand Family for WGM Marilyn Hoots and WGP Al Butterfield. Sister Dee Dee served as Worthy Matron in Belfair Chapter again in 2007-08, and she served her third term as Worthy Matron in 2017-18. On April 3, 2019, Sister Dee Dee was presented with the Grand Representative Commission to Saskatchewan. On August 10, 2021, Sister Dee Dee was presented with a Life Membership in Belfair Chapter.

Dee Dee was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Amie Leigh Polonsky.
She is survived by her husband, Lee, her sisters June Martin (Gary), Linda Reynolds (Don), her brother Lyle Deffinbaugh (Deana), her daughter, Jennie Diane Brown (Jeff), John Ison (Diana), Angie Cappa (Rob) and grandchildren, Brett Wiederstein, Kyle Cappa (Juliana), Kaydee Cappa, Jillian Helton, Daniele Polonsky, Gabby Polonsky, Moira Helton, Sonja Ison, Derek Ison and Noah Cappa.

There will be an Eastern Star memorial at Hood Canal Lodge (23341 NE State Route 3, Belfair, WA) on Sunday October 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM. The service will be followed by an afternoon of visitation in the dining room of the Lodge from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center or a place of your choice. Please note donation is made in the name of Dee Dee Ison.