WINDHAM – Diane Gail Hammond’s life was a celebration of what she held dear: enjoying her children and family, spending time with friends, and teaching elementary school children. She passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Forever the teacher, she left notes for the theme of her obituary: “I lived a rich life.” Diane was born Aug. 23, 1949, to loving parents, Guy and Frances McFarland.
Along with her older brother, Douglas, she enjoyed a happy childhood in Frankfort, filled with laughter, friends and family. At Hampden Academy, she was a good student and cheerleader. Before graduating from the University of Southern Maine, Gorham, with a degree in elementary education, she married Ted Libby and settled on Fort Hill Road in Gorham. It was there that she spent many happy years nurturing and loving her three children, Shannon, Amy and Matthew. Diane had a 30-year career teaching elementary school, primarily fourth grade, in SAD6. As a caring educator, she influenced thousands of lives. She was proud to help institute Project Peace, which promotes conflict resolution through kindness and respect. One of her favorite things to do was to run into former students and teacher friends and catch up on their lives. She earned her master’s degree in literacy at the University of Southern Maine and was later appointed head teacher at George E. Jack School. Later in life, she enjoyed spending time and traveling with her husband, Charles Hammond. Her blended family grew to include stepson, Andy, and stepdaughter, Dara, and all of her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. She had a knack for making any gathering a party with her fun-loving spirit and infectious laughter. In July 2011, Diane was diagnosed with stage-four cancer. She spent the last months of her life celebrating living. She spent time with her family, enjoyed her grandchildren, visited with and laughed with her many friends. She had amazing support during this time from her family, friends, students, and coworkers.
Diane is survived by her mother, Frances McFarland; spouse, Charles Hammond; brother, Douglas and sister-in-law, Kathleen McFarland; half sister, Susan Freese; and her children and grandchildren, Shannon, John, Alden and Jackson Nichols, Amy Libby and Patrick Johnson; Matthew Libby, Andrew, Su-Anne, Jakob, Alexandra, Morgan and Lukas Hammond and Dara Hammond; and hundreds of close friends.
There will be no visiting hours. A celebration of Diane’s life will be held 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, at First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Gorham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to a scholarship program for teaching literacy, Reading Matters to Maine, www.readingmatterstomaine.org, at Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605. Arrangements are by Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham. For online condolences, please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com.
Diane Gail Hammond
