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Diane Fjeldheim Obituary

Diane Zanie Fjeldheim
1920 - 2015
WATERVILLE - Diane Zanie Fjeldheim, a lifelong resident of Waterville, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2015, at 95 years old. She was born in Waterville, on April 8, 1920, the daughter of Amin and Annie (George) Ferris. She was educated in local schools and was a graduate of Colby College attaining a language degree and also a graduate of the University of Maine attaining a master's degree in Education.
She was formerly employed as a teacher at Fairfield, Oakland and Vassalboro schools for several years and as an English teacher for 30 years at Winslow Junior High School.
She also shared her love of knitting and flair for fashion with the adults she taught through knitting classes in Adult Continuing Education. She enjoyed spending time with her family , gardening, baking bread, playing cards and enjoying life. Her influence and fond memories will be remembered by her family, her friends and all who knew her.
She was the beloved wife of the late Wesley Fjeldheim with whom she shared more than 36 years of marriage; loving mother of Penny Snyder and her husband Tim of Arlington, Mass., John Fjeldheim and wife Julie of Holliston, Mass., Barbara Fjeldheim who cared for her most recently, Terry Fjeldheim and wife Monique of Raleigh, N.C., and Kim Thompson and husband Rob of Indianapolis, Ind. She is the tatee to 12 grandchildren whose lives she profoundly impacted. She is great-tatee to four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers and her sister, Emma Hikel, Joe Ferris, Charles Ferris, and also Abraham Ferris (2006).
To a strong and independent woman, thanks for setting the example for all of us. We love you. Mom.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to MaineGeneral Hospice and Oak Grove Nursing Home and staff for the kind assistance and support to our mother. Family would also like to express a thank you to Barbara for her years of attentive care to our mother.
Friends may visit with family from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2015, at the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. The Divine Liturgy of the Faithful Departed will be celebrated Friday, May 29, 2015, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Maronite Church Front Street Waterville. Committal prayers and burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove St., Waterville. A mercy meal will be served in the church hall after the services. A reception will also be held from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Nursing Home, 27 Cool St., Waterville. Condolences may be expressed and guestbook signed at
www.gallantfh.com
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Published by Central Maine from May 27 to May 28, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
for Diane Fjeldheim

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Dear Barbara, I was so sorry to learn about Diane's passing. I would have liked to attend her service but was out of town preparing for my father's service. This was a sad spring for our families. It is nice to read the messages posted by others to gain some insights into Diane's life and the impact she had on her former students and on her family. You were so amazingly devoted to her care and happiness. An inspiration to all who came to know you at Oak Grove. I feel blessed that I got to know you and Diane the past 7 years when visiting Ginny. I know how sad it is to lose your wonderful mother, as I am going through a similar experience following my father's passing, but I'm sure you have many wonderful memories that will sustain you. You can also take comfort in knowing that you did all that you could to give her a happy, comfortable life til the end. Thanks for your friendship these past 7 years. I will miss seeing you and talking to you. My prayers are with you and your family. Take good care of yourself. Love, Becky Seel

June 14, 2015

Ms. Fjeldheim was my 9th grade English teacher at Winslow Jr. High in 1977. I had transferred from another school and she welcomed me immediately. Her tough and 'no-nonsense' style of teaching encouraged us to do our very best. RIP Ms. F

Donna Lizotte-McEachern

June 3, 2015

A flood of memories... 1972/1973, 9th grade English literature. Mrs. Fjeldheim insisted that we try - and keep trying, giving our best, always. Spelling was important, as was appreciating great works of literature. Odd that just a few days' ago I was attempting to get my 11-year old daughter to appreciate great works of literature. What a supreme legacy she has bestowed upon all who were lucky enough to have received her teachings. May God bless her family in this time of sorrow.

Brian Cassidy

June 2, 2015

Mrs. Fjeldheim taught me the beauty of the English language in the 3 consecutive years as my teacher in the 1960's. Because of her I can diagram a complex sentence in my head and I can knit. She was a huge influence in my decision to become an educator.

leslie hendsbee

May 31, 2015

What a fun, lovely lady. When I moved to Averill Terrace, she gave me some plants. Wishing the family peace and happiness. You loved her well.

Meg Bernier Boyd

May 29, 2015

Our deepest sympathies to the family of a true gem. Mrs. Fjeldheim taught a handful of us to knit when she first came to Winslow. I've kept that up my whole life. What a gift she gave and was.

Dianne and Gary Reynolds

May 29, 2015

Mrs F was also my English literature teacher at Winslow Jr High in the mid 1970's. She held all students to a high standard in her class. I do not remember all of my teachers but I remember her and her methods of teaching...lots of fun roleplaying in her class. She was a fantastic teacher who shared her love of literature with many students at Winslow. My condolences to her entire family.

Janet Cross

May 29, 2015

I remember well having Mrs. Fjeldheim for freshman English at Winslow, having to read Great Expectations and learning speeches from Julius Caesar! My favorite memory, though, was when she let me wear in class this fabulous amethyst ring she had bought in Mexico. It's been 45 years, but I sure remember that ring. I was stunned to run into her again at Oak Grove while visiting my dad, but her face lit up when I told her who I was. My condolences to her family!

Lucie Tardif

May 28, 2015

Mrs. F was my English teacher in 9th grade at Winslow High School 69-70. She kept our class on task and challenged. She excited in me a lifelong love for literary critique and analysis. I loved how she treated us as intelligent people and encouraged us to our highest self. She was the first teacher I had that would be like a professor. I loved her for that. Not only will she live on in her family but her light burns brightly through her students.

Lyn Rowden

May 28, 2015

Aunt Diane was an accomplished woman ahead of her time. A great mother, sister, and friend to many in the community. May she rest in peace. Warm hugs and heartfelt condolences to Barbara, who was at her side everyday for the past eleven years and to her children Johnnie, Penny, Terry, Kimberly and grandchildren.

Robert Ferris

May 28, 2015

Thank you dear Mrs. Fjeldhem for helping me to appreciate literature. You are a classic. May God bless your family at this time.

Julia Picard Anderson

May 28, 2015

To: Kimmy, Johnnie, Penny, Terry, Barbara (and to the rest of the extended Fjeldheim Clan)
From: Team Thompson West

Not every guy is lucky enough to have been blessed with an exceptional mother-in-law. I certainly was. I'm terribly sorry that we couldn't be there to support you guys. However, I think that Diane (as an iconic Maine educator) would probably have disapproved of her high school age grand kids missing their final exams.

Rest assured that our hearts, too, are broken. We may be here at the Cross Roads of America, but our hearts are with you in Waterville.

As an outsider who has known and watched you all with the greatest admiration since the early 1970s, I can attest and assure you that the best of her lives on through each of you and through her grandchildren. Her strength, determination and warmth will continue to live on through her great-grandchildren as well.

Fjeldheim Endures.

Special note to Barbara: Darn well done. Thank you more than I can ever express for undertaking Taytee's care .

Love to you all (and especially to my dear wife, Kim - you are a lot like your mom, y'know; I can give you no higher praise than that!)

Sadly,
Rob, Courtney, Mackenzie and Tyler

Robert Thompson

May 28, 2015

I'm sorry for your loss. She will be missed, Barbara you will be too.

Cathy Prescott

May 28, 2015

Mrs Fjeldheim was my English literature teacher at Winslow Junior High School in the 1970s.
She introduced me to Dickens and Shakespeare. I read Great Expectations in her class and still remember her readings and many laughs and smiles. I had to memorize and recite Julius Ceasar lines in that class: I can still recite (most) of them to this day! Mrs F was a wonderfully zany character with an infectious zest for live. God bless you Diane Fjeldheim. Michael Fortier, London, England and Harpswell, Maine

Michael FORTIER

May 28, 2015

I had Mrs. Fjeldheim as a teacher in Winslow. She was a great teacher, I was not always a great student. I will always remember her fondly.

Ann Morin-Densmore

May 28, 2015

Dear Barbara and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I too was one of her students at Winslow, class of 83. She was one of my favorite teachers! She loved what she was doing and it showed. My deepest sympathies.

Deanna Holton

May 28, 2015

My condolences to Mrs. Fjeldheim's family. I was a student of hers in 1978-80 at Winslow Jr. High. She commanded respect in the classroom for the subject she taught as well as for herself and her students. Her passion for what she did as an educator was evident in her teachings. Her dedication to her work was evident in the fact that her classroom looked like her second home with all of her plants and personal items arranged around her desk. When she entered her classroom her presence was felt as she slowly strolled in with her long coat and a bag of corrected papers and her ominous smile. We students only knew this part of her world. It seems there was so much more to her that we all aspire to emulate in our own lives.

Rebecca El-Fakih

May 28, 2015

I have visions of Diane marching through the neighborhood giving pipping hot flat breads sometimes smeared with zaatar. You would hear shrieks of joy when she would stop by our house. What a strong, creative, vibrant woman. Barbara your dedication to your mother is soo inspirational. Our condolences to you and your family.

Sylvanne Pontin

May 28, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Suzanne Talbot

May 28, 2015

My sympathies. Like some others have mentioned, I was one of her many students at Winslow Jr. High.

Scott Bernier

May 28, 2015

Barbara, So sorry to hear of your loss. I was a resident of Oak Grove in 2004 back in the days of when she was selling calendars. She would stop by to talk to my grandchildren every time they were there - she adored little kids. I again spent time with her in 2012 and within the last month. You devoted our life to her care. My sympathies,

Jackie Guimond

May 27, 2015

Mrs Fjeldheim was my Teacher at Winslow Jr. High. She was always smiling and very firm. You never said "Shut Up" in her class or you had to write 100 times, oh did I write and write lol. Her sweaters were amazing and she always welcomed all into her home and heart. A great lady whom earned respect from all. God bless.

Art Ward

May 27, 2015

Dear Barbara and family, We are so sorry for your loss and will miss seeing her (and you, Barbara) going through the hallways at Oak Grove. xoxo
The Theresa Lee Family

Jane Lee

May 27, 2015

A wonderful teacher, 9th grade English, Winslow Jr High. Condolences to her family.
~ Julee Hoggins

May 27, 2015

Mrs. Fjeldheim was also my English teacher in Winslow in the early 80's. She always had a nice, big, welcoming smile, which made her one of the best teachers! She will never be forgotten.

My condolences to the family for your loss. She was special!

Judy Shank-Gregory

May 27, 2015

Mrs. Fjeldheim was my English teacher at Winslow Jr. High in the early 80's and was definitely one of my absolute favorites! She was a wonderful teacher who touched many, many lives! My prayers and thoughts are with her family-

Cindy King-Benner

May 27, 2015

Barbara, and family. We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. We would always see her with Barbara giving her rides around the Oak Grove halls and so much Love. May all of your memories help you through this difficult time.

Julie and Erin Akins

May 27, 2015

We love you Tatee - you were the greatest mother, grandmother and mother in law - rest peacefully.

Julie

May 27, 2015

Tatee, we will miss you. What an incredible and giving life you lived. We have many wonderful memories of you.

Love and peace to all your family.
Denise Hogue

Denise Hogue

May 27, 2015

My condolences to the family. Barbara you touched my heart and made me strong when I lost my Dad in December because I remember when my Uncle Roy was at Oak Grove how you were with your Mom. You should be very proud of yourself, it is a very tough job watching your parent die!Love and prayers

Laurie Joseph

May 27, 2015

I was in Mrs. Fjeldheim's 79-80 9th gr. English class. I remember the jungle of plants in her classroom and how they thrived under her care. That same care somehow got pubescent teenagers to comprehend the English Literature she required we read. Please know that she enriched the lives of all her students and she will be remembered by many. My condolences to her family.

Nichole Routhier Adamo

May 27, 2015

Condolence tothe family. You are in my prayers. May Gad bless you.

May 27, 2015

Hi Rachy and Family.

Sorry to hear this sad news. A great legacy has been lived and shall continue in the hearts and lives of those left behind.


Hugs and love

James

James Glass

May 27, 2015

Thank You Aunt Diane for being an incredible Aunt. May you rest in Christ with your husband Wesley, your brothers Joe, Charlie, Abe, and your sister Emma. Condolences to your lovely children, Penny, Johnnie, Barbara, Terry, and Kim.

Paul Ferris

May 27, 2015

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