Diana Connell

NORWAY — Diana M. Wiedemann Connell, 79, of Norway and Cape Elizabeth, passed from this life on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, at Gosnell House in Scarborough.

She was born in Bridgton, on Feb. 16, 1935, to Lawrence and Edna (Bradford) Lord, and grew up in Bolster’s Mills. She was a graduate of Bridgton Academy and Bryant College.

After college, Diana worked as a ticket agent for TWA in New York City. While living in New York, she met Wilbert G. Wiedemann at a folk dance house. They married on May 9, 1959, and made their home in Minneola, N.Y. In 1968, they moved to Norway, where they owned and operated Harlow’s Gift Shop on Main Street for several years. In the following years, Diana worked at New England Furniture, Bartash Drug Store and Longley’s Hardware, retiring from Longley’s in 2000.

On March 18, 2000, Diana married Herbert J. Connell of Cape Elizabeth, and they alternated their residence between Cape Elizabeth and Norway. In her retirement, Diana served as a volunteer at Maine Medical Center, the Root Cellar, and as a host on Amtrak’s Downeaster. She was a member of Hosanna New Testament Church in Oxford for many years.

Diana will be most remembered for her kindness and selflessness. Her greatest joy was sharing in the happiness of others. As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she was a great example of godliness and goodness.

She is survived by her husband Herbert of Cape Elizabeth; three daughters, Carolyn Charlton of Emmaus, Pa., Jan Buck of Buckfield and Jill Dettling of Bridgton; two stepdaughters, Lynn Connell of Bradenton, Fla. and Sharan Connell of Windham; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Barbara Dalgaard of Harrison; and a nephew and three nieces.

She was predeceased by her first husband; a son, Lawrence “Butch” Wiedemann; a granddaughter; and a sister, Laurene Mattor.

Visitation was held at Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at Hosanna New Testament Church in Oxford.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com