BANGOR – Jean Eleanor (Klyne) Diamond, 77, wife of the late Nathan J. “Nat” Diamond, died peacefully Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, from complications related to emphysema. Born in Bangor, Nov. 21, 1926, she was the daughter of Albert and Jean (Wilson) Klyne. Ellie was an exceptionally talented vocalist who began her professional singing career while still in high school. During her music career, she performed and recorded with many of the top artists of the Big Band era. Through music she met her future husband, Nat, a trumpet player with the Army-Air Force performing band. On March 1, 1945, they married and settled permanently in Bangor. They formed their own Big Band, the Nat Diamond Orchestra, with Ellie as the band’s featured singer and its business manager. She performed with the band for nearly 20 years. Along with her work in music, Ellie assisted her mother with her mother’s photography business, Jean Klyne Studio. She continued to work part-time for the business until it was sold in 1983. Ellie was an accomplished bridge player who competed in tournaments throughout the U.S. and Canada. She was the first person in Maine to attain the level of Life Master through the American Contract Bridge League. For many years she and Nat operated Down East Bridge Club in Bangor, one of New England’s largest weekly duplicate bridge clubs. For much of her adult life Ellie was involved as a volunteer organizer, fundraiser, and officer for local, state, and national charitable organizations, several of which formally recognized her for her work on their behalf. In addition, she was an active volunteer for numerous political campaigns and causes. For many years she was actively involved in Bangor Community Theater. Ellie is survived by three daughters, Deborah E. Joseph and son-in-law, Jeff, of Los Angeles, Calif., Jane D. Littlefield and son-in-law, Kelly, of Old Orchard Beach, and Jean E. Diamond of Dayton, Ohio; a son, John N. Diamond and daughter-in-law, Marcia, of Glenburn; two sisters, Joan Conner of Henderson, N.C., and Evelyn Gans of Stratford, Conn.; 13 grandchildren, Karyn Bournival of Springdale, Ark., Andrea Colford of Winslow, Ebony Joseph of Los Angeles, Calif., Matthew and Meghan Milliard of Portland, Kaley Littlefield of Old Orchard Beach, Mark, Caroline, and Matthew Cunliffe of Dayton, Ohio, Rachel Cunliffe of Bangor, Heather Crooker of Newburgh, and Johnny and Sarah Diamond of Glenburn; five great-grandchildren, Ian Bournival of Springdale, Ark., Aryn Weymouth of Winslow, Chase Colford of Winslow, and Mikayla and Jack Burridge of Newburgh; many nieces and nephews; a special cousin, Robert DeRocher of Wyoming; and many wonderful friends. Ellie was predeceased in 2002 by her husband of 57 years, Nat; and in 1964 by a brother, Bayard H. “Chuck” Klyne. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23 at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. James L. Haddix, pastor and teacher, and the Rev. Renee Garrett, Minister of Christian Nurture, officiating. Spring interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer. Those who wish to remember Ellie in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Nat and Eleanor Diamond Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to Bangor High School graduates enrolling at the University of Maine. Those gifts should be sent care of University of Maine Foundation, Two Buchanan Alumni House, Orono, ME 04469. Gifts in Ellie’s memory may also be sent to Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401.
ELEANOR K. DIAMOND
