Diane Elaine Crane

Diane Elaine (Nash) Crane, age 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at her home in Franklin, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Augusta, Maine on June 19, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Marshall and Rowena Nash.  She was raised in Pittsfield, Maine and graduated from Maine Central Institute with the Class of 1959.  Diane continued her education at the University of Maine, earning her bachelor's degree in 1963. 

With her degree in hand, Diane began her teaching career with the Meriden High School in Connecticut, taking a position with the English Department.  Four years later, Diane moved to Boston, Massachusetts, taking a position with Stoneham High School, teaching both Latin and English.  While living in Boston, Diane met her soon-to-be husband, Thomas P. Crane, and they were married on July 3, 1971, in Saint Ignatius Church at Boston College.  The young couple initially made their home in North Reading, before settling in Norfolk, Massachusetts in 1974.  Diane's career brought her to Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, teaching English, Latin, and Spanish.  While teaching at Bishop Feehan, Diane pursued her master's degree at Bridgewater State College, which she earned in 1988.  In 1999, she and Tom left Norfolk, making their home one town over in Franklin, and ten years later, Diane retired from her teaching career, after thirty-three years of dedicated service to her students.

Throughout her life, Diane loved being on the water, sailing along with Tom aboard their boat, Saturnalia.  They took countless trips from their home harbor at the Hyannis Yacht Club, venturing to points along the Maine coast, Long Island, Shelter Island, North Stonington, Newport, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard.  The winter months brought about family ski trips throughout New England, utilizing her time off during school vacations.  On occasion, Diane and Tom would board a plane bound for Tampa, Florida, visiting old friends from Norfolk, enjoying the sunshine along the way.

Back at home, Diane was an avid Boston sports fan, always cheering for her hometown teams, attending games when she could.  Her love for sports carried through to her grandchildren, as she loved standing on the sidelines for most of their events, providing constant support and motivation for them.

Beloved wife of Thomas P. Crane.

Loving mother of Paula I. McEvoy and her husband, Brian F., of Franklin and James T. Crane of Barcelona, Spain.

Cherished grandmother of Tyler Alexander McEvoy, Dylan Thomas McEvoy, Kaelen David Crane, Finley April Crane, and Emme Cate Crane.

Sister of Marilyn Nash of Culver City, California, Marshall "Sonny" Nash Jr. of East Corinth, Maine, David Nash of Oakland, Maine, Frannie Jackson of Buckeye, Arizona, Cynthia Dempsey of Loudon, New Hampshire, Daniel Nash of Auburn, New Hampshire, Reggie Nash of Hancock, Maine, Alfred Nash of Palmyra, Maine, and the late Larry Nash.

Dear niece of Barbara Gushee of Owls Head, Maine.

Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Diane's Life Celebration on Friday, December 9, 2022, from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 9:00 AM, prior to Diane's Funeral Mass that will be celebrated in Saint Jude's Church, 86 Main Street, Norfolk at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in the Norfolk Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Salmon VNA and Hospice, 37 Birch Street, Milford, MA 01757 or Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.