Diana L Jefferson

Diana was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on August 21, 1945 and graduated from Marblehead High School in 1964.

Diana was predeceased by her beloved husband, Richard Jefferson, Sr., her son Jose and her parents Claire and Roy Lovett. Diana is survived by her son Peter Lovett of Mastic Beach, NY and grandson, Zachary; son John Lovett of Mashpee, MA his wife Angela and grandsons Jackson and Declan; son Jason Lovett of Hernando, FL and granddaughter Jaylee and grandson Benny; Sister Sally Lovett Boutin, Hanover, MA, her husband Stephen, niece Jessica Mosher-Anthony, Hanover, MA, her husband Bryan Mosher, nephews Joshua Anthony, Kingston, MA, his fiancé Kimberly Seckinger and Nathan Boutin, Norwell, MA, his wife Ashley, along with 5 grandnieces and 3 grandnephews.

Diana (Diane) Lovett Jefferson was also survived by her husband’s family. Daughter Barbara (Jefferson) Wernersbach of Ocala, FL her husband Matt and granddaughter Erica; daughter Melissa (Jefferson) Hinkson of Crystal River, FL and her husband Danny and 3 grandchildren Crystal, Sarah and Heather and 6 grandchildren; daughter Denise (Jefferson) Cole of Hernando, FL and granddaughter Candace; son Richard Jefferson, Jr. of Rock Hill, SC and wife Debbie with 3 grandchildren Ashley, Matthew, Ryan and 4 great grandchildren.

Diana loved sailing, square dancing, and driving her friends around in her old Ford. She served as a candy striper at the town hospital, as she loved helping people and taking care of them. She was studying for her LPN when she had a severe back injury and became disabled. Not one to stop, she found her true path fostering children, many children of many different ages and cultures. She loved each child that entered her home and sent them off far better than when they arrived. She taught pregnant teenagers how to be mothers. She healed sick and injured children who had come to her, giving them a much better life. She adopted four of those small boys, thus making her little family. After many years and for health reasons, Diana decided to move to Florida. When she left Lynn, she was given a large reception and awarded the “Volunteer of the Year” plaque by the mayor. As he presented it, he asked her, “Please, do not leave”. They needed her there, but her mind was made up and off they went.

Florida is where she met and married Richard (the love of her life) and together they raised her boys, and she gained more family with Richard’s adult children becoming hers. Diane and Richard enjoyed family trips with the boys and once the boys were grown, Diane and Richard went on to enjoy many cruises together. After Richard’s death, her health declined, so Diana moved to Lifecare of Citrus County, the nursing home where she lived for over 10 years. She was very social and had many friends there. She enjoyed attending all the different activities that the staff would have for the residents, especially the singing groups and any outside trips they would take. Diane enjoyed doing crafts and playing different games but she especially enjoyed Bingo. One of her favorite things to do was to have a “girls’ day” with her daughter, Barbara. On those days they would go out to eat and then go shopping afterwards. Then she was happy and content to go back “home” and relax while watching some of her favorite TV shows. Diane had quite the collection of caftans, and family members were always on the lookout for new and different ones for her. She will be missed by all those whose lives she touched in one way or another. Rest in peace, dear Diane, and without pain, as we will all miss you with your smiling face and laughing eyes.

A committal service for Diana will be held at a later date