Hazel V. Diffin

Hazel V. Diffin, 89

SOUTH PORTLAND - Hazel V. Diffin, 89, of South Portland, passed away Jan. 31, 2017, at the Odd Fellows' & Rebekahs' Home of Maine, where she had been a resident for the past three years.

She was born in Portland, Nov. 13, 1927, the daughter of Roland C. and Myrtle (Thompson) Lothrop. She attended local schools and graduated from Deering High School.

In 1946, she married her husband, Leo Diffin, and together they raised their five children.

Hazel was a 70-year member of the Odd Fellows' and Rebekahs' service organization, joining when she was 18, to follow in her mother's footsteps. During that time, she served as the recording secretary for over 50 years, and president of the Rebekah Assembly in 1984-85. She was a member of the board of trustees and long-range planning committee, and was key in carrying out her husband's vision of adding the nursing facility to the existing Odd Fellows' & Rebekahs' Home of Maine.

She not only served locally, but also was actively involved at the state level, serving as secretary for many years, and attending every International Rebekah Assembly until health no longer allowed it.

She was involved in the Christmas committee, always decorating the facility and buying gifts for the residents. She received the Meritorious Service award and the Decoration of Chivalry award.

That was not her only passion, however, as she made bus trips to Arlington National Cemetery in May to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier over 20 times. When she wasn't serving the lodge or on a trip, she found time to work at Maine National Bank for over 15 years, where she served as an executive assistant.

But if you knew Hazel, you would know that her true love and passion was for her children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children; she loved each and every one dearly.

She is survived by her children, Wayne Diffin and his wife Jane Honeck, of Robbinston; Ronald Diffin, of Fryeburg; Douglas and his wife Catherine Diffin, of Robbinston; and Gayle Albin, of South Portland; daughter-in-law Theresa Diffin, of South Portland; a sister, Donna Watkins, of Oakland; 14 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She played a parental role in raising her granddaughters, Kristen Pease and Courtney Albin, with whom Hazel lived, together with her daughter Gayle, until entering the Odd Fellows Home.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1987; her oldest son, Gary Diffin, in 1971; and a sister, Carolyn Lothrop.

The family invites you to attend visiting hours to share your stories Friday, Feb. 3, at Jones Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, Portland, from 4-7 p.m. (Rebekahs' Service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m.). A funeral service will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 4, at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, at 9 a.m., followed by a committal service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Westbrook.
You may offer condolences online at: www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.

If you would like to make a donation in Hazel's name, you can make it to:
Odd Fellows' & Rebekahs' Home of Maine
85 Caron Lane
Auburn, ME 04210