Diane MacDonald

Diane Martha (O’Neill) MacDonald, of Nashua, NH passed peacefully on October 25, 2025.

Diane was born and raised in Cambridge, MA and raised her own family in West Medford, MA. She was abundantly proud of the accomplishments of her son Cliff, who was a 3 sport athlete (football, hockey, lacrosse) at Medford High, a 4 year football and lacrosse player for Boston State College, a minor league football player for Billy’s Hyde Park Cowboys, a Sales Manager for both Quirk Ford and Helping Hands of America and a doting Dad to his daughter Jessica.

Diane had a successful 27 year career at Polaroid Corporation as an administrative assistant during the heydays of the company in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. While at Polaroid, Diane initiated one of the first physical fitness programs for employees, including the building and equipping of an exercise center. Diane also led a lunchtime fitness class. After retirement from Polaroid and moving to New Hampshire with her husband Tom, Diane worked at the Ledge Street Elementary School as a paraprofessional in the 5th grade classroom.

Diane attended Rivier College in Nashua, earning her Associates of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies. While attending Rivier she worked as an assistant to the librarian at the Regina Library.

For their honeymoon, Diane and Tom took a Caribbean cruise on the “Song of America” visiting Mexico, Cozumel, and Haiti. They also traveled to the UK and Ireland visiting the birthplace of Diane’s parents in Ireland and the birthplace of Tom’ parents in Scotland.

Diane and Tom were daily communicants at the Immaculate Conception Church in Nashua, and both were active in church programs.

In her later years, Diane volunteered at the Nashua Senior Activity Center Store and the Immaculate Conception Church Gift Shop. She participated in outings sponsored by the Senior Activity Center. Diane moved to independent living and then assisted living at the Hunt Community where she received excellent care. She also enjoyed partaking in the many activities for residents of the Hunt Community.

Diane cherished her cat “Big Red” which was named after her son Cliff. Big Red is well and is thriving under the care of Diane’s great niece and cat mom, Stephanie.

Diane was predeceased by her husband, Thomas J. MacDonald, her sister Patricia (O’Neill) McCulloch and her husband Basil McCulloch, her sons David Atkins and Cliff Atkins, and her niece Donna Reichle.

Diane is survived by her nephew Steven McCulloch and his wife Diana of Franklin, MA, her granddaughter Jessica Atkins of Norwood, MA, her great granddaughter Lucille Atkins-Haire, her great niece Stephanie McCulloch of Blackstone, MA. She is also survived by seven stepchildren: Thomas J. MacDonald and his wife Maribeth of Braintree, MA, Cathleen MacDonald of Braintree, MA, David F. MacDonald of Braintree, MA, Michael P. MacDonald and his wife Bella of Quincy, MA, Stephen A. MacDonald and his wife Michelle of Hanover, MA, Douglas S. MacDonald of Braintree, MA, and Patrici M. Kelly of Arlington, MA, and 4 step grandchildren: Emily, Callie, Audrey, and Tommy.

A visiting hour will be held Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 9:00am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Diane’s Eternal Life at 10:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 216 E. Dunstable Rd., Nashua. A lunch reception will be held in the spiritual hall of the Immaculate Conception Church following the funeral. Burial will be held at 1:45pm at the Hull Village Cemetery, Hull, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Diane’s memory to one of the following:

Breathe New Hampshire, 145 Hollis St., Unit C, Manchester, NH 03101, 800-835-8647

https://breathenh.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/breathenh/donation.jsp?campaign=4&

Community Hospice House or Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Dr., Merrimack, NH 03054, 603-882-2941

https://hhhc.org/make-a-gift/donation/