NORTH ANDOVER – Diana C. Barnes, 79 years young, passed away peacefully in her lovely home in North Andover, MA on Friday April 27, 2012.
Born in New Rochelle, NY, she moved to Rhode Island with her family at the age of three and graduated from Hope High School with honors. She was previously married to Richard I. Barnes with whom she raised seven wonderful children. Diana took great pride in receiving her English degree with high honors in 1975 from the University of Rhode Island.
Diana worked in public broadcasting in Rhode Island and Maine and later for many years worked at the Merrimack Valley YMCA and other non-profit organizations. She was dedicated to her work, as she so believed in the services they provided for those in the community. In 2006 Diana became an ordained minister, primarily to officiate at her granddaughter’s wedding.
She adored her children, grandchildren and her dear friend Cec. She was an avid reader and always had the most recent information on just about any topic. She was a proud Democrat and enjoyed discussing politics. She loved to play the piano and organ and sang as a soprano in her church choir. Diana was a caring, vibrant, effervescent woman who loved to laugh, nothing brought more pleasure to her than being with her family, friends, visiting the ocean, and eating custard pie with ice cream floating in heavy cream.
She is survived by her seven children; Susan Barnes-Brown of Needham, MA, Jeffrey Barnes of Rumford, RI, Wenda Barnes of Riverside, RI, Maribeth Barnes of Taunton, MA, Christopher Barnes of Rumford, RI, Michaela Barnes of Lexington, MA and Timothy Barnes of Bradford, RI. She was predeceased by her grandson David Barnes-Brown. Diana also had nine beautiful grandchildren who loved their Nonnie.
Diana is also survived by her sister Ellen Bucknam of Port Orange, FL, whom she so dearly loved and also a cousin Michael Coady in Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia, whom she held close to her heart and their respective families.
ARRANGEMENTS: In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the American Lung Association 460 Totten Road, STE 400 Waltham, MA 02451 or the Muscular Dystropy Association PO Box 78960, Phoenix, AZ 85062-8960. Family and friends may gather on Thursday from 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc., 233 Lawrence Street Methuen, MA 01844. Funeral services will follow at 11:00a.m. in the funeral home. A private burial will take place at the families convenience. For directions or condolences please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com