Dianne M Baxter

Dianne Marilyn (Johnson) Baxter passed away at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland on August 11, 2024, following a brief period of declining health. She was born on August 14, 1931, in Providence, RI, the youngest child and only daughter born to Earl S. Johnson and Bessie L. (Peckham) Johnson. She was educated in the Providence, RI public schools and then pursued a nursing program. She graduated with a registered nurse diploma from Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. She lived and worked in RI until 1964 when she followed her then husband to New Hampshire for employment opportunities. She ultimately settled in Keene, NH. She worked at the local hospital and Keene Clinic for many years, until her retirement at age 62. She especially enjoyed working with maternity patients during her career.
In her early sixties, she took on the responsibility of raising her son's two young children. They are now in their thirties and so appreciative of her sacrifice and care.
Dianne enjoyed sewing when her children were young, making lined coats and hats for them at Easter. When her children were grown, she enjoyed quilting and was a member of the Cheshire Quilting Guild. She was known to have many yards of fabric just waiting for the next project. She also enjoyed dried flower pressing and created several lovely, framed pieces.
A constant in her life was her love of sports. She religiously followed the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots. She was thrilled when the Celtics won the championship this year and never missed a playoff game.
Dianne was bright and had a quick wit. She loved jokes and shared them frequently with family and friends. She had an online presence into her nineties through Facebook and streaming Netflix.
She is survived by her daughters Linda Whitenack and her partner William Cote of Manchester, NH, Marcia Barrett and her husband Thomas of Keene, NH and Kendra Baxter and her husband David Collins of Londonderry, NH. She is also survived by her son John Baxter and his partner Stephanie O'Brien of San Jose, California. She is survived by her six grandchildren Kyle, Sara and Levi Barrett and Elizabeth, Christopher and Nathan Baxter and her great grandson Aiden Taintor along with many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Bessie Johnson, her brothers and their wives, Donald and Nancy Johnson and Dale and Miriam Johnson as well as her niece Susan Johnson.
Per her wishes, services will be private. Her ashes will be interred in RI at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations can be made to the Cheshire Quilter's Guild, PO Box 1481, Keene, NH 03431 or the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 W. Swanzey Rd, Swanzey, NH 03446.
All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.