Diane Marie Killeen

Diane Killeen, oldest daughter of Bessie and Arthur Heske, was an exuberant mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She passed away suddenly in her home on December 21, 2021 at the age of 68.

In her early years, Diane, her younger sister Debra, and her parents moved between several North Eastern states ultimately settling in Massachusetts.

As a child, Diane was a member of the Girl Scouts where she ultimately reached Senior Scout. Growing up, family time often included enjoying a car trip together and one of her favorite destinations was Old Orchard Beach in Maine as she loved being by the ocean. It was during these trips where she grew her passion for shells. Later, as an adult, she would enlist the help of her entire family to collect shells from every one of their beach trips to near and far locations. She would provide each of them with a shell book and an inventory of shells she already had. It was not uncommon for Diane to head to the beach after a storm, just to see what the ocean had drummed up. Not only did she amass a museum-like collection of sea-shells, taxonomized and fashioned for display, but she typically was seen wearing shell-inspired jewelry and apparel too.

Even at a young age Diane envisioned her life as a teacher and mother. She achieved the goal of teaching in the same high school she attended. She retired from Billerica Memorial High School after a 36-year career teaching Math with a Masters in Math from the University of Lowell and a Masters of Educational Technology from Fitchburg State. Though Diane lived in Chelmsford, she was always loyal to Billerica High. Even in retirement, she made sure to catch every Thanksgiving game against the rival Chelmsford team cheering wildly and loudly for Billerica High.

Diane was proud of her three boys and loved her family more than anything. She was always willing to hop in the car or on a plane to see her family as often as possible and attend any important event. Once granddaughters came along, she found her new passion as Grrramma. She did whatever she could to enrich their lives and make them smile. Her grandchildren adored her fun spirit and antics. She especially loved Gramming them; sneaking to their house in the hours before dawn just to bedazzle the place with festive decorations and gifts, then waiting by the phone to hear the girls reaction (always squeals of joy).

Over the years, Diane enjoyed many other pastimes. She was an avid Trekkie (Live Long and Prosper). On a trip to California, she visited Universal Studios and was selected with her sons to be in one of their Star Trek Adventure live action performances getting to play the role of Capt. Kirk. Diane had a knack for crafting, making blankets, clothing, and many other personal items for loved ones. She even sewed her own wedding dress. Diane shined at genealogical research where she succeeded at hunting down branches of the family tree like Sherlock Holmes on a case. Using Dianes extensive research, she and her sister became members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Diane is survived by her sons Robert Killeen and wife Bethany with daughters Brynlee and Teagan, Brian Killeen and partner Kristen Veno, Christopher Killeen and fianc Raquel Baez, and sister Debra Banning, husband Charley and their son William.

Visiting hours will be held at Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home on Monday, January 10th from 5-7pm. The family requests people attending to please wear masks. A private funeral will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dianes memory to organizations that support women in STEM, such as AWIS (Association for Women in Science) and NGCP (National Girls Collaborative Project).

Service Details
Visitation
When
January 10, 2022 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location
Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home
Address
24 Worthen Street
Chelmsford, MA 01824