Diane Gail Lindgren, 65, of Newcastle, died peacefully at home with her children on May 15. She had battled a rare form of cancer since Oct. 2005.
Born June 2, 1941 in Quincy, Mass., Diane was the daughter of Evelyn M. Osier Lindgren (originally from Frenchboro) and Burt E. Lindgren (from Philipsburg, Mo.).
Diane was valedictorian of her graduating class at the Woodward School for Girls in Quincy, Mass. in 1959. She graduated with honors from Katherine Gibbs in Boston, Mass. in 1961, and later completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education with highest honors at Pace University in White Plains, N.Y. in 1990.
In 1963, Diane married William J. Dobbins of Braintree, Mass and gave birth to three children. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1970. She later married Roy F. Seacor of White Plains, N.Y. in 1971 and had three more children. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2006.
Diane loved countless days by the ocean and driving along the Maine coastline in a convertible. She cherished celebrating the holidays, working in her flower gardens, and creating handicrafts like knitting scarves and sewing Halloween costumes. She became an accomplished watercolor painter. Her famous Swedish meatball recipe remains a closely guarded secret.
She leaves behind a love of music, singing and writing, with her unfinished memoir “Love, Me and B,” still to be published.
Diane worked tirelessly as an advocate for children with special needs in public schools in New York and Maine. For nearly 30 years in Westchester County, N.Y., Diane was also an active volunteer at Northern Westchester Hospital, near her home in Chappaqua, N.Y. She was an enthusiastic field hockey and lacrosse coach as well as a passionate teacher and dance instructor.
Diane moved to Newcastle to reconnect with her Maine heritage, which extended back to the 1600s on her mother’s side. The change of seasons, shore dinners and good champagne were among her favorite delights. She served locally as a teacher at Great Salt Bay Elementary School, where her youngest daughter Brittany, who is multiply handicapped, was a beloved student for many years.
In 2006, Diane was honored to become president of the Miles Memorial Hospital League in Damariscotta, where she was a devoted member for several years.
She is survived by her six children, Jenifer Dobbins, Patrick Dobbins Seacor and Kirsten Seacor of New York, N.Y., Jesica Dobbins Seacor of Washington, D.C., Christopher Seacor of Bethlehem, Penn., and Brittany Seacor Lindgren of Newcastle; sister, Shirley Stenberg and husband Terry of Cushing; nieces, Gretchen Dismukes of Surry, and Sarah Berk of Shandaken, N.Y.; nephew, Douglas Stenberg of Robesonia, Penn.; and grandson, Michael of Bethlehem, Penn.
Memorial service to celebrate Diane’s life 1 p.m., Sat., May 19 at the Second Congregational Church, 51 Main St., Newcastle. Immediately following the service will be a tea at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Brittany Elizabeth Lindgren Trust” at The First National Bank, Main St., Damariscotta or to Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice House Fund, c/o Pen Bay Healthcare Fund (PBHF), attn: Bonnie Westcott, 22 White St., Rockland, ME 04841.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Damariscotta.