Diane C. Marchand

Diane Mary Marchand (Connell), a devoted mother, grandmother, and master conversationalist, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and beautifully baked pies. Born in September of 1935 in Norwich, Connecticut, Diane spent her formative years in her hometown, graduating from the Norwich Free Academy.

She went on to attend the University of Connecticut, where she earned her degree in nursing and was a proud member of the Delta Zeta sorority. It was near the end of her collegiate studies

that Diane met the love of her life, Norman “Chuck” Marchand, who was then serving in the U.S. Navy on the GI Bill. The couple was wed in September of 1959, just as Chuck embarked on his own college journey to become an electrical engineer.Together, Diane and Chuck built a beautiful life on the Connecticut shoreline, where they raised their three boys: Michael, David, and Brian. Diane was the bedrock of the family—loving, fiercely protective, and a chronic over-thinker and worrier, a trait that only highlighted how

deeply she cared for those around her. Once the boys grew up and the nest emptied, Diane and Chuck embraced a vibrant, nomadic

lifestyle. They traded the Connecticut coast for new adventures, moving to Texas, two different locations in North Carolina, Virginia, and finally settling in South Carolina. Wherever she went, Diane made friends easily; she possessed a rare gift for conversation, always eager to connect, share a story, or listen to a friend. Blessed with a memory like an elephant, she never forgot a name, a family milestone, or a detail from a conversation shared years prior.

In her free time, Diane found joy in the simpler things. She loved traveling to new places, solving puzzles, playing cards, and was renowned by her grandchildren for her pie-making skills.

Diane was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Chuck. She is survived by her three sons, Michael, David, and Brian, and her seven cherished grandchildren, all of whom will deeply miss her warmth, her wit, and her endless care.

A funeral service to celebrate Diane's life will be held on July 25th at 10:00 AM at Christ the King Church, located in Old Lyme, Connecticut. All family and friends are welcome to attend