Diane Mingolla

MILLBURY/SUTTON - Diane Mingolla, aged 86, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family in Hubbardston on April 13, 2025.

Diane was born in Worcester in 1938. She grew up in Sutton, raised by her grandparents J. Albert and Angeline Berthiaume and her Uncle Charles Berthiaume (“Uncle Cam”) following the deaths of her parents Joseph Amedee Berthiaume and Alice (Carter) Berthiaume in 1948.

Diane was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Millbury. She attended elementary school there. In later years Diane was a catechism teacher as well as a eucharistic minister and delivered communion to the elderly. Diane’s first job was working at her family’s business called The Boston Store in downtown Millbury. She was also involved in her family’s other business Millbury Fuel Co.

Education was important to Diane. Following her graduation from Millbury High School, she earned her Bachelors’ Degree in Education from Worcester State Teachers College and then her Masters’ degree from Assumption College. She then returned to her alma mater Millbury High to teach. She was a demanding teacher who insisted on academic rigor—as her former students would attest—but she also had a wonderful sense of humor. She took pride in noting that she was the first teacher at Millbury High to wear a miniskirt, and act that—to the delight of many and the consternation of some—opened the door for the students to wear miniskirts too. In later years, after Diane’s children were grown, she returned to work for one of her former students, Gary Vaillancourt, at the Vaillancourt Folk Art Gallery in Sutton.

Diane married the love of her life Henry M. Mingolla in 1970 and together they raised their family in Sutton. She was very active in her children’s lives and in supporting their education and activities. During her son’s senior year at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury she served as President of the Mothers’ Guild, where her fundraising drives were legendary. Diane also took great effort to send thoughtful care packages to her children while they were either away at school or living away from home. Diane loved animals, particularly dogs. She raised French poodles throughout the 1970s and 1980s and in more recent years adopted several rescue dogs. Diane loved to cook and in addition to her grandmere’s French Canadian recipes Diane became an expert in Italian cooking, a skill she learned in part from her beloved father-in-law Joseph J. Mingolla. Diane was also a skilled knitter making beautiful sweaters, mittens, scarves and afghans for friends and family. Even though in later years her sweaters were not perfect they were always made with love. Diane had a keen eye for color and design and had exquisite taste. Perhaps her favorite pastime, however, was travel. She cherished the memories of the annual family overseas trips, particularly enjoying Italy, France and Israel, among other places. Diane’s passion for European history was a valuable asset during these trips, and she acquired many beautiful pieces of art and paintings along the way.

Diane’s beloved husband Henry predeceased her in 2011. Her brother Ronald C. Berthiaume also predeceased her. She leaves her son, Joseph P. Mingolla and daughter-in-law Lisa Nalchajian, of Concord; her daughter Lisa and son-in law Michael J. O’Connor of Hubbardston, with whom she lived; her grandchildren Alex J. and Lindsay E. Mingolla; and her ever-faithful terrier Jack.

Diane lived a life rich in love, loyalty and wisdom. She will be fondly remembered by her loving family and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Services for Diane are private. There are no calling hours. Those who wish to commemorate Diane’s life are invited to donate to Worcester Animal Rescue League online at https://worcesterarl.org/donate/. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit her guestbook.