Diane E. DiBenedetto's Obituary
Diane E. (Taylor) DiBenedetto, 77 of North Andover, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023 after a long illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Philip A. DiBenedetto.
Diane was born in Lawrence on October 26, 1946. She was the daughter of the late Chester and Mary (Ryan) Taylor. Diane graduated from Lawrence High School and the McIntosh Business School. She was a homemaker while her children were in elementary school, and later the CFO for DBA Associates in North Andover for 15 years, until her retirement.
Diane enjoyed several different hobbies. Diane and Phil joined Marie and Damon in historical reenacting, and really got into the parts of well-to-do colonials. Diane loved teaching about life during the French and Indian and Revolutionary War periods – especially at Fort #4 in New Hampshire and Fort Ticonderoga in New York. She loved sharing information and technique on how everyday items were made. She also enjoyed researching the foods/cooking in the 18th century style and attended several educational events.
Diane was a Girl Scout leader who took her Brownies adventuring. Of all the troops on a camping trip – hers was the only one who could light a fire in the rain. She was a Girl Scout camp counselor/leader at Camp Merry Meeting. She was a school volunteer, an assistant soccer coach, and a “most requested” field trip chaperone. Anyone in her group was guaranteed to have a super field trip (and maybe an ice cream at the National Zoo). She never misplaced a kid and no one ever missed the bus home.
She was interested in family genealogy, and was able to trace her family back to the American Revolution. She was an avid knitter, crafter, and baker. Every Christmas, she hosted “cookie fest” to the delight of relatives – a 3 day cookie baking event. Diane loved to travel both in the US and internationally and made trips to Ireland, Italy, and France. Above all, she loved spending time with her family. She attended ever soccer game and every dance practice or competition as her kids were growing up.
She was the cherished mother to her two children; her daughter, Marie Riddell and her husband Christian, and her son, Damon DiBenedetto. Diane was the proud grandmother to Jack and Holly Riddell. She is also survived by her brother Chet Taylor and his wife Mary Jo and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are cordially invited to honor and celebrate Diane’s life by gathering for her calling hours from 4 – 7 PM on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Her funeral service will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday December 6, 2023 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Diane’s memory can be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 or at www.dana-farber.org. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the DiBenedetto family.
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