Diane Todd passed away peacefully at her home in the morning on Friday, February 16th, 2024. She was born Ona Diane Riley on May 11, 1944 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and spent most of her life in Billerica, Massachusetts before moving to Maine and Florida to be closer to her grandchildren.

Diane's vivacious, spunky, fiercely loving personality was her defining quality, and shone through everything she did. She had the rare ability to truly listen, and maintained a willingness to change her mind. She reminded her children and grandchildren that it was never too late to decide to try something new and reinvent yourself.

She talked fast, drove fast, and made fast friends throughout her life. Diane's no-nonsense approach to living led her to be known for forming immediate and meaningful friendships wherever she was, whether she was bonding with her neighbors in Billerica, the Fuccis, or finding a way to communicate across language barriers with a Holocaust survivor who had been lonely in assisted living — a connection which the woman's son later informed Diane had provided his mother tremendous comfort. Her most important friendship was that which she shared with her sister Edna, to whom she gave the gift of an extended life when she donated her kidney.

After graduating from Watertown High School in 1962, Diane attended the nursing program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where she studied to become a Registered Nurse. After graduating in 1965, she worked primarily in nursing homes in North Billerica and Lowell, as well as hospital emergency rooms over the course of her career. She maintained a keen interest in medicine throughout her life, even after retiring from the medical field.

She was a prolific fiber artist, and created numerous embroidery and crochet patterns. Hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, blankets, sweaters, shirts, and even stuffed animals were all handmade lovingly by Diane. She patiently and painstakingly taught these skills to her granddaughter Kara, who hopes to someday be able to completely match her in speed and quality.

Diane rarely bought desserts and was an avid baker and skilled cook: her magic bars in particular were the stuff of fond memories. She was a devoted gardener unafraid to get her hands dirty, and profoundly appreciative of the earth and all its living creatures. She adored animals and rescued many cats over the course of her life, including winning over and taming feral cats. Max, Lulu, Sally, Sal, and Chelsea were some of her most iconic feline friends.

She loved the movie E.T., the musical Saturday Night Fever, game shows such as The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune, and TV shows such as The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and mystery and medical dramas. She was an avid reader of anything she could get her hands on, from novels to magazines and everything in between. She introduced her grandchildren to the stylings of Whitney Houston, The Village People, Neil Diamond, Elton John, and Elvis.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 25 years Dick Todd, her parents Ona E. MacWilliam and John Riley, her sister and lifelong best friend Edna Pitti, and her brother Frank Wasson.

She is survived by her children, Kristen Garland of Sierra Vista Arizona, Kenneth Robak and wife Marjorie of Land O' Lakes Florida, and Keith Robak and wife Jennifer of Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania; step-children, Jennifer Zani of Tewksbury Massachusetts, Rosemary of Jefferson Massachusetts, Raquel of Lawrence Massachusetts, Rebecca of Haverhill Massachusetts, and Deborah of Florida; grandchildren, Kara Robak and partner Laura of Lebanon New Hampshire, Tyler Cote and Cole Cote of Hampton New Hampshire, Natalie Robak of Land O' Lakes Florida, and Reagan Robak of Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania; step-grandchildren, Mia Zani of Tewksbury Massachusetts, Dillon Biase, Danielle Biase, Katrina Todd, Joshua Todd, Luke Bemis and wife Skye, Gabriel Kissh, Autumn Ballou, and Davian Marshall; and many devoted friends and family members including Jack Riley, Richard Wasson, Ernie Pitti and wife Maggie of Bristol Connecticut, Sharon Roberge and husband Steve of Gardiner Maine.

Diane was a philanthropist who cared deeply about sharing what she had with important causes. Each year, she donated to Globe Santa, The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon, and the World Wildlife Fund. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Diane's name may be made to any of her favorite charities.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on May 11th, her 80th birthday, in Land O' Lakes Florida. The family invites anyone who knew Diane to share your favorite memories, photos, and anecdotes with us ahead of the celebration. Please contact Kenneth Robak with your memories, or for more information if you would like to attend.