Mary Rose Diani, 88

Shrewsbury - Mary Rose Diani, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Chesterfield, N.H., died peacefully, Saturday, June 6, at Jewish Healthcare Center, Worcester surrounded by family. She was the daughter of the late Peter and Antonietta Diani of Hudson. She is survived by her brother Frank Diani, and his wife, Fran, of Goleta, California. Her siblings Carla Torelli (Ambrose), Pauline Santos (Joachim), Joseph Diani (Margaret), Virginia Adams (William), Felix Diani (Mary), Ambrosina Coache (Arthur), Theresa Benzinger (John B., Frank Piacitelli), nieces Karen Diani Richards, and Rosemarie Santos MacPherson, and nephews Jackie Santos and Peter Santos, predeceased her. Her beloved friend John Nurse, of Chesterfield, N.H. died in 2007.

Mary Rose leaves behind many nieces and nephews across the country who loved her quick wit, her engaging smile, her laughter, her generosity of spirit, and her willingness to experience life to its fullest. She also leaves behind many wonderful friends from her years in New Hampshire, in addition to her many friends in Shrewsbury and Worcester.

Mary Rose was a graduate of St. Michael's Academy in Hudson. She received her BA from Emmanuel College, and her MA in English from Boston College. She was a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame for many years, teaching elementary and junior high school students. She also taught for eighteen years at St. Joseph's Regional School in Keene, N.H. where she designed and implemented a K to Grade 1 transitional program. She received a commendation from Bishop Leo E. O'Neil, Diocese of Manchester, N.H., for her years of service, dedication and outstanding contribution in the Manchester Catholic School System, upon her retirement in 1993.

She loved to travel, both internationally and nationally, especially enjoying trips to England, and to Italy where she visited the Diani family's ancestral village of Ferno, outside of Milan. She loved animals, and over the years had dogs, cats, geese, ducks and parrots; her Cairn terrier, Abby, was her constant companion. Mary Rose was a great cook. She loved to garden and her yard in Chesterfield was rich in flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. She was no stranger to hard work and actively participated in the building of her home in Chesterfield. Mary Rose brought joy and laughter wherever she went.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. in St. Michael's Church, 21 Manning St. Hudson. Burial will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St. Northborough. For the online guestbook, www.haysfuneralhome.com

Donations in her memory may be made to:

Chesterfield Public Library

524 Rte. 63

Chesterfield, NH 03443

http://www.chesterfieldlibrary.org

Jewish Healthcare Center Hospice

629 Salisbury Street

Worcester, MA 01609

http://www.jewishhealthcarecenter.com