Casco — Diane “Di” Marie Carter, 63, of Casco, Maine, passed away at her home on Aug. 22, 2012 after a yearlong battle with a brain tumor. Diane was born Sept. 20, 1948 in Natick, Mass. to Francis and Mary Carter. Diane was the oldest of their five children. As a youngster she enjoyed horseback riding, playing with her German Shepard, Ricky, and was a Campfire girl in Sherborn, Mass. She also enjoyed swimming and ice skating on Farm Pond, down the street from her home. Diane moved to Natick and attended Natick High as a teenager.

Diane earned her Nursing diploma from Newton-Wellesley Hospital in 1970. After moving to Maine in 1976, Diane worked in the Maine Medical Center operating room for 30-plus years, specializing in her passion of pediatric surgery. She married Russell Burnett on Sept. 6, 1986 at their home in Casco. They cleared the land and built their home together with the help of friends and family. Russ and Diane raised two daughters, both of whom followed in their mother's footsteps and became nurses.

Diane was full of positive energy, always empowering and inspiring those around her. She enjoyed outdoor activities and spent much of her free time hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, playing tennis, gardening, and spending time with her amazing circle of friends. One of her most cherished accomplishments was hiking all the 4000 ft. mountains in New England. Every winter she looked forward to her ski trips out West. The only time Diane would be inside on a nice day was if her beloved Red Sox were playing. When her children were young Diane spent spring coaching youth softball in the Lake Region area.

Diane is survived by her husband Russell Burnett of Casco, daughters, Leah and Alanna Burnett of Boston, Mass., her father Francis “Bo” and Sherry Carter of Cape Neddick, sister Denise Nicolo of Revere, Mass., brother Wayne Carter of West Yarmouth, Mass., brother Peter Carter of South Yarmouth, Mass., brother Erik Carter of Middleboro, Mass., godmother Viola Cole of Natick, Mass., and multiple cousins, nieces and nephews. Diane was predeceased by her mother Mary Carter of West Yarmouth, Mass.

A memorial service will take place Sept. 15, 2012, at her family home in Casco from 1–4 p.m. Arrangements are by A.T. Hutchins, LLC Funeral Home, Portland. To offer words of condolence and to share memories with the family, please go to the obituaries section at www.athutchins.com