Diane Craig (Manvel) Norton of Tewksbury, MA died on March 18, 2022 at the age of 85 after an all too brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Elizabeth, NJ to Ralph and Margaret (Craig) Manvel, Diane enjoyed art and theater in her younger years, then acquired a teaching degree from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.
After college, Diane discovered a great passion for fast driving in her Karmann Ghia and mogul skiing. She became a member of the Old Colony Ski Club in North Woodstock, NH. expanding her circle of friends and eventually meeting Jerome Norton when he called down to her from an apple tree during a party.
Diane and Romie married on August 10, 1968, and went on to have two children. They filled their life with love, laughter, and kindness, through the hard times and the good.
Diane remained passionate in her interests throughout her life. Gardening, painting, bird watching (she had a special affinity for the cat bird) and, most importantly, family were her greatest joys. She loved to travel, whether to another country or just to a new spot she discovered one town over. When Romie passed away in 2021, Diane continued to enjoy life by spending time watching movies with her grandchildren, Veronica and Griffin, gardening, pursuing volunteer opportunities, and relaxing with her faithful companion cat Missy. If you knew Diane, you knew her ever present smile as she welcomed the company of friends and family alike.
Diane is survived by her daughter Jenne Norton and her partner Ed Newton of Lowell, MA, her daughter Patsy Burke and her husband Mike Burke of Reading, MA, and her grandchildren Veronica and Griffin Burke of Reading, MA.
A Celebration of Life for Diane will be held at the Tewksbury Country Club on May 28, 2022 from 12-3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Diane’s name to the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org). Arrangements entrusted to Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, Tewksbury.