It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Diane Melinda Zega (née Ekvall), 76, of Londonderry, NH, (formerly of Topsfield, MA). Diane passed away Monday, September 25th, 2017, surrounded by her family, after a short but brave battle to recover from complications of surgery.
The middle child of three, she was born to the late Irving and Helen Ekvall, in April of 1941. Growing up in Torrington, CT, she graduated from the local high school in 1959. Following, she attended and graduated from Post Junior College in Waterbury, CT. She then spent a short time working as a secretary at Aetna Insurance before marrying her high school sweetheart, the late Anthony R. Zega, in June of 1963. As a couple, the two left Connecticut to build a life and home in Topsfield—a small country town located on the North Shore of Massachusetts. There she spent her life as a homemaker, raising her children.
In life, Diane was the consummate creative soul. She had a deep passion for all things related to arts and crafts. Her wide-ranging talents in this regard were applied to themed dinner parties, Halloween costumes, and brainteaser Easter egg hunts. These skills also produced a vast array of treasured projects that her family will continue to hold dear. Amongst these are personalized scrapbooks she made for her children and grandchildren, which celebrated fond moments, offered wisdom, and highlighted the unique love she felt for each. Throughout life she enjoyed reading works of non-fiction, cultivating her garden, and arranging flowers. She was known for cutting articles out of newspapers/magazines and sharing them with family, remembering lyrics to almost any song, and a nearly unbroken reign as the queen of backyard croquet. Personally, Diane had a strong sense of propriety, and an expansive repertoire of sayings that her grandchildren fondly referred to as “grandma-isms.” Famous for her signature gift-wrapping style and recycled ribbons, she would decorate every birthday card with a festive seal from her endless sticker collection. Her warmth, thoughtfulness, and unconditional love will be sorely missed.
Diane is survived by three children: her eldest son David, and his wife Janice; her daughter Kristen Murrin, and her husband Christopher; and her youngest son Matthew, and his wife Alexandra. She also leaves behind three adoring grandchildren: Andrew, Amanda, and Emily Murrin, in addition to a large extended family.
Calling hours were held Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. The burial followed in Linwood Cemetery, 41 John Ward Avenue in Haverhill, MA. T