Diane T. (Jakubiak) Browne

HOLDEN/AUBURN – Diane T. (Jakubiak) Browne, 76, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of Thaddeus and Josephine S. (Choinski) Jakubiak and had lived most of her adult life in Auburn before moving to Holden in 2013.

Diane lived a joyous life, and her top priorities were always her family, her community and her church. Raised in Worcester, she met the love of her life at The Soda Shoppe, later known as the Webster House, and the rest, as they say, is history. Together they raised a beautiful family and continued their legacy of love and commitment through their five grandchildren, who adoringly called her Babci.

Education was highly valued by Diane for herself and others. She worked to pay her own way through Anna Maria College, majoring in Biology, and upon graduation she began a career as a teacher. Soon after, she left teaching to raise her family, although she continued working nights and weekends so she could be with her children as much as possible. Her commitment to her daughters’ educations was unwavering and she willingly sacrificed for that.

Nothing brought a smile to Diane’s face more than time with her family. Whether serving as a Campfire leader with her daughters, taking family beach vacations, or celebrating Viegelia at her mother’s house on Christmas Eve, Diane was happiest surrounded by those she loved. This commitment never wavered as Babci was at every school play, athletic event, dance competition, music concert, birthday celebration or graduation.

Beyond this, she displayed a kindness that was like no other. She was well known for her beautiful smile and welcomed any and all into her home no matter the circumstances. She was a good listener, a good teacher and a great friend. Diane loved spending time outdoors, time at her “slice of heaven” in North Conway, playing scrabble with her friends, traveling anywhere, dancing and listening to music of any kind. She enjoyed a full life with family and friends.

Diane was the eternal optimist, always seeing the glass as half full. Even after being diagnosed in 2000 with Multiple Sclerosis, she continued to focus on the positive even through the challenges she faced.

In recent years, she was an active member of St. Mary’s Church of Jefferson, and her lifelong faith and belief in her Catholic Community was a foundation for all areas of her life.

She leaves her loving husband of 54 years, Daniel J. Browne; her daughters, Julie Kelleher and her husband, Andrew of Glen, NH and Auburn and Karen Duby and her husband, Timothy of Worcester; five grandchildren, Liam, Brendan and Claire Kelleher, Benjamin, and Sydney Duby; her brothers, Theodore Jakubiak of Millbury, and Joseph Jakubiak of Worcester; her sister, Joan Patterson of Carlisle; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Jewish Healthcare Hospice Services, Laura’s Guardian Angels and the members of her Faith Sharing Group of St. Mary’s for their incredible support and compassion over the past year.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 4th in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Funeral services for Diane will be held on Saturday, March 5th with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson, MA 01522 followed by burial at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to National MS Society, P.O. Box 91891, Washington, DC 20090, or to St. Mary’s Church. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit our "Tribute Wall"