Diane Hilton O’Connor, 70, of Bremen, passed away at home on Nov. 24 after a short battle with cancer. Diane was born Feb. 6, 1941 in Damariscotta and grew up in Bremen.
She was the daughter of the late Carl and Frederica (Sylvester) Hilton of Bremen. She attended the Bremen grade schools grades one through eight and graduated as Valedictorian from Lincoln Academy in 1958. She graduated from Colby College in Waterville in 1962. Two days after graduating from Colby, Diane and her best friend, Sally Kent, took a bus to Washington, D.C. where she lived for the next 34 years.
She first worked for the American Chemical Society, but in 1966 she joined the Information Office of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. She worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 21 years, including 12 years as Press Officer, and then moved to the USDA’s Office of Public Affairs and worked seven years as Deputy Chief of the News Division. She was the recipient of several quality awards at USDA as well as its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. She belonged to several professional societies including Capital Press Women, Agricultural Communications Educators, and Government Information Officers. She was an also a member of the Maine State Society.
Diane married Leo J. O’Connor in 1967 and they made their home in Washington, D.C. They both enjoyed traveling and for many years were members of an air travel club and shared many trips to the Caribbean, Mexico and South America.
While at the USDA, Diane was a member of the USDA Travel Club where she planned and led trips throughout the United States. Upon retiring from the USDA in 1994, she established her own trip agency, Creative Destinations, Inc., planning and leading trips, particularly to Maine and New York City.
Diane moved back to Maine with her husband Leo in 1996 and they lived in the family home in Bremen where she grew up. Diane became active in many Bremen town committees and organizations. She served on the Budget Committee for two years, on the Planning Board for six years including two as chair and on the Ordinance Review Committee for five years. She joined the Bremen Historical Society and over a period of ten years served as secretary, vice president and president of the organization. Diane was appointed to the board of the Maine Association of Conservation Commission in 2010, a position she held until she died. She joined the Patriotic Club of Bremen and was serving as president of the organization until shortly before her death. From 1999 to 2003 she wrote the Bremen news column for The Lincoln County News and for many years was queen of the Crimson Red Mad Hatters Society. After her father’s death in 2001, she cared for her mother Frederica in her family home. In recent years, she enjoyed reunions with her Lincoln Academy classmates.
Diane is survived by her husband, Leo O’Connor; sisters, Mary Sue Weeks of Bremen, and Cynthia and husband Arnold Wass of Rockland; brother, William Doane and wife Mary of Ft. Myers, Fla.; nieces and nephews, Dwight Wass and friend Michael Sorensen of Lincolnville, Keith Wass and wife Marci of Lincolnville, Eric Wass and wife Valerie of Rockland, Stephanie and husband Stephen Guyer of Springfield, Mass., Michael Weeks and wife Erika of Metarie, La., Karen Weeks of Brooklyn, N.Y., Mark Doane and wife Cathy of Chesterfield, N.H., and Scott Hilton and wife Joan of Gilmanton, N.H.; many great-nieces and nephews; four great-great-nephews; and many beloved cousins.
Visiting hours 6-8 p.m., Tues., Nov. 29 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Celebration of life 1 p.m., Wed., Nov. 30 at the Bremen Union Church, 523 Waldoboro Rd., Bremen.
Anyone who wishes may donate in her memory to the Patriotic Club of Bremen 100th Anniversary Fund, c/o Marge Jicha, 1420 Waldoboro Rd., Bremen, ME 04551.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
The staff at Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Waldoboro is caring for the family.
