Diana Branch McMasters

Waterford - Diana Branch McMasters, 72, daughter of Norma and Bob Branch of Waterford, died at Women & Infant’s Hospital in Providence, R.I. Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 after a 22-month battle with ovarian and endometrial cancer. Born in New London and a graduate of Waterford High School, she lived in Waterford for all but 14 years of her life.

Diana was a graduate of Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa. where she earned a B.A. in environmental science and biology. Following graduation, she worked for Rodale Press and Organic Gardening Magazine where she conducted research on raising quail, backyard fish farming, and home food systems. As staff editor and director of product testing, she contributed to Rodale’s magazines and many books. She wrote her own book, "Tools for Homesteaders, Gardeners, and Small-Scale Farmers, an International Guide to Tools and Implements."

It was in Allentown where she met her best friend, Paul McMasters. They enjoyed many camping adventures across country, to the Outer Banks, and through New England creating vivid memories with dear friends in their pea green VW camper. The two shared Paul’s passion for restoring historic structures. The first was an old storefront they remodeled into a restaurant, the Rub-A-Dub Pub in Towanda, Pa., which they owned and operated with partners for eight years. It was here the two were married in 1980.

Together Diana and Paul bought and restored two homes in the historic section of New London. The third house which would become their life-long home, was a 1786 Cape Cod style home about to be torn down in Berlin. They dismantled the post and beam structure, carefully marked each joint, and had an old-fashioned house raising on family property in Waterford. This is where they have lived for the past 45 years with their son Christopher and daughter Kelsey.

Diana began her pursuit of a teaching career at the age of 40 and went back to school for teaching certification and a master's degree in education technology. She worked for six years at LEARN in Old Lyme as a technology integration specialist teaching teachers, and then worked as a computer and math teacher and technology coordinator at ISAAC Middle School in New London for 16 years.

After retiring for a summer, Diana returned to the classroom at New London High School where she taught Media Arts for three more years. Diana retired for the second time in June 2025, after the return of her cancer. It was through 25 years of volunteer work with Connecticut State Parks that Diana was able to return to and fulfill her passion for the environment and natural world. She became the first president of the Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park where she and impassioned members of the group lobbied for and secured $3.7 million in funding to restore the decaying mansion and formal gardens. Diana became a founding member of the Board of the Friends of Connecticut State Parks, where she also served as president, helping to create and support seven new state park volunteer organizations.

Family meant everything to Diana. She took a few years off to be home with Christopher and Kelsey when they were young and was so very proud of the bright, sensitive, caring adults they have become. Being able to build her own home with Paul next door to her parents meant she and the kids started and ended most every day together. What a gift it was to have her children’s grandparents intertwined with daily family life, and what a privilege to be nearby when they needed end-of-life care.

Diana is survived by husband Paul McMasters; son Christopher McMasters; daughter Kelsey McMasters Wieczorek and her husband T.J. Wieczorek; sister Holly Frederick and her husband, Ric; nephew Kyle Frederick and his wife Rebecca and their two children, Chase and Vivienne; her sister Vickie Branch and her wife Leslie Williams.

Though our hearts may be heavy, let us come together to remember Diana’s vibrant spirit, cherish the memories we shared, and celebrate her life at noon Saturday, March 14, at Harkness Chapel on the Connecticut College campus, 827 Williams St. New London, CT. Reception to immediately follow from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Lyman Allyn Museum, 625 Williams Street, New London. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to Women & Infant’s Hospital in Providence, R.I. at https://foundation.womenandinfants.org/donateno.

Thank you.