DIANNE JULYA THURSTON

AUGUSTA -- Dianne Julya Thurston passed away at Maine Medical Center on Feb. 26, 2013. She died suddenly after a courageous battle with mesothelioma and other health issues. She was surrounded by her family and dear friends.

Dianne was born in Gardiner on Feb. 21, 1938, to Francis and Lucille (MacDonald) McNally. She was the first of five children. She grew up in Gardiner and met her husband, Ernest Thurston, dancing one night at "Louie's" in Winthrop. They were married on Feb. 21, 1961, at St. Joseph's Church in Gardiner. Together they had four children.

Dianne had a passion for knowledge and learning throughout her life. She enjoyed sharing that passion with her children, grandchildren and her community. She earned a degree in education once her own children had all started school. She taught fifth graders for 19 years at elementary schools in Augusta, including Lincoln, Farrington and Gilbert schools.

Dianne lived her entire life in communities across Maine and appreciated the state's natural beauty with her husband, children and friends, often while camping, hiking or ice fishing. Later in life Dianne was able to explore more of the world with her family. She traveled to Ireland and Poland to explore her family's heritage and connect with distant relatives. She was an eager traveler and had adventures in many other countries, including Norway, Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy, England, Germany and Canada. Most of all, Dianne was devoted to her family, its past, and its future. She used her interest in genealogy and her crafting skills to document the family history for her grandchildren. She delighted in celebrations and holidays, treasuring family traditions as well as creating many more. She knit sweaters that are cherished by her husband, children and grandchildren and have been lovingly shared across generations.

Dianne is survived by her husband, Ernest B. Thurston; her four children, Linda Coleman and her husband, John, Michael Thurston and his wife, Mira-Su, James Thurston and his partner, Jean Dufort, and Suzanne Thurston and her husband Grant Smith; her six grandchildren, Erin, Hannah and Sam Coleman, Sarah and Christopher Thurston, and Maeve Smith; and her siblings, Ann LeClair and her husband, Roger, Moe McNally, Katherine Gorham and her husband, Dennis, and Patrick McNally and his wife, Donna.

A service celebrating her life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallowell, with a reception to follow at the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Dianne J. Thurston to: Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital St., Augusta, ME 04330.