Woolwich – Diane G. Longley, 79, of Woolwich, died on Saturday, May 13, 2017 with her family by her side at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta.  She was born on November 16, 1937, the daughter of Cyrus & Annie (Chandler) Longley.  She grew up in Bath and graduated from Morse High School, Class of 1957.  After high school, Diane went on to Airline School in Kansas City, Missouri and served in the United States Air Force.  She is also a graduate of the University of Southern Maine.

Diane held many positions in her lifetime.  She taught school for many years in Portland, South Portland and Phippsburg.  She also was a writer and wrote stories for the magazine, Maine Life.  Diane also wrote 5 books, Fort Popham Maine, a Civil War Fort; Steel Over, The Kennebec; The People’s History of Bath; Life’s Poems; and Woolwich Central School 1952-2010.  She wrote news articles and took photos for the Bath Times newspaper years ago and then for the Times Record.  She also wrote “Make a do Farm” series for several years for the Times Record newspaper.  She also wrote for the Wiscasset Newspaper and took news photos, and wrote stories and news for the Coastal Journal. 

Diane loved children and created Aunt Diane’s Corner for the child in all of us.  The show aired on Public Access TV channel in Woolwich. 

In later years Diane was part of the group that with the Bath City Officials and other wheelchair bound residents from the area who helped make downtown Bath handicapped friendly.  She loved helping people and helped many men & women to attain their well-deserved service connected disabilities.   She was Citizen of the Year 2010, which was presented to her by Sagadahoc County Sheriff Department. 

Diane was a devoted member of the Bath United Methodist Church, a Past Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Portland & Brunswick Chapter; Past member of the Bath Historical Society; Member of the Bath Senior Citizens; Charter member of the Woolwich Historical Society; served on many of Woolwich’s committees; serviced on the Serret Committee for the Sagadahoc Bridge, and was the 5th car over the bridge.  She was a life time member of the Disabled American Veterans; Past Chaplain of the disabled American Veterans, Portland & Brunswick; and Past Adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans Portland & Brunswick Chapter.

She was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Joan Lombardo Brown & Marilyn Stailing; sister-in-law’s, Barbara Dunton, & Margaret Hansom and brother-in-law’s, Robert Stailing & John Brown

She leaves behind her longtime friend, Arlene L. Whitney; and the children she helped raise, Karin Salmonson Gordon, Christina Salmonson McGahey & Diana Lee Salmonson Garnett; brothers, Walter L Longley & William C Longley; and many nieces, nephews, great & great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in Diane’s name, the family wishes are they go to:  Beverly Barlett Fund, Bath United Methodist Church, 340 Oak Grove Ave, Bath, Maine 04530.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 2:00pm at the Bath United Methodist Church, 340 Oak Grove Ave, Bath, Maine.  Burial will be private. 

To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com