Dianne Colby Massey

AUBURN- Dianne Colby Massey, 90, passed away Saturday, April 18th, 2026, at her home in Auburn with her loving family at her side. Dianne Noreen Colby was born to the late Herman Woodbury and Christine Myrand Colby in Lewiston, Maine on January 30, 1936.  

Dianne was educated in Auburn public schools, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1954. She then attended St Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing where she attained her RN diploma in 1957. She continued to work at St. Marys for 30 years in various capacities in the Operating Room and Nursing Administration.

During that time, she attended the University of Southern Maine and obtained a BS in 1986. She completed her career at Maine Medical Center in Portland where she served on the Open-Heart Surgery Team, retiring in 1999. She continued in a per diem capacity at MMC and at the Maine Eye Center for another 10 years.

During her career she served in several roles in the Association of Operating Room Nurses of Maine including president and was one of the first nurses in the State of Maine to become certified in operating room nursing. She also obtained the American Nurses Association certification in Nursing Administration and was named to Who’s Who in American Nursing in 1987.

Dianne also served on the Health Occupations Advisory Board at Lewiston Vocational Center and on the Advisory Committee for the School of Surgical Technology at Maine Medical Center as well as the reunion committee for the Class of 1954 since graduation from ELHS.

Throughout her children’s school years, she volunteered in their athletic activities. She was active in Auburn Suburban Little League for several years and serving as president of the Woman’s Auxiliary from 1977–1979. She then served on the Board of Directors of the ELHS Grandstand Club. Volunteering was in her genes.  

From 2000-2015 she was a Hospice Volunteer with Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice visiting patients in their homes and patient facilities. She also helped out at the Hospice House.

Dianne enjoyed traveling, music, dancing and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s many games, meets, matches and concerts in Maine and Florida. As she was not a fan of the cold weather, she spent winters in her later years in St. Petersburg, FL, where she met many new friends. She greatly enjoyed going to lunch with new and old friends. Her fingers were always busy knitting many items for the whole family.

She married Roger E. Massey in 1961 and they had four children. They divorced in 1978. She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church, now called The Immaculate Heart of Mary parish.

She is survived by her children, Gregory Massey (Lisa Thibault) of Auburn, Kevin (Kelley) Massey of North Yarmouth, and Kathleen “Nina” (John) Cowan of Gorham, and son in law, Christopher Foerster of St Petersburg. As well as seven grandchildren, Kathleen, Jake, and Micah Foerster, Emma and Maxwell Massey, and Jenna and Joseph Cowan along with several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and former husband Roger Massey, her daughter, Michelle Foerster, and her sisters, Carol Savage, and Beverly Carrigan.  

Dianne’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 9th at 11AM at Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Pl, Auburn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Andwell Hospice House, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn or by visiting their website at andwell.org/giving/donate.  

The family would like to thank Andwell Hospice and First Light Home Care for the wonderful care and compassion given to Dianne in her final days.  

Arrangements are in the care of The Fortin & Pinette Group. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website.