1937 – 2014

AUBURN — Diane Mae Ganem, 77, passed away Tuesday, April 1, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones following a period of declining health.

She was born in Portland on Jan. 27, 1937, to Jules and Louise Zachow; Diane was the middle daughter of three children. She lived in Portland and attended Portland High School, until her junior year when the family moved to Scarborough. In 1955, she was part of the first graduating class of the new Scarborough High School. In 1956, she soon met and later married her love, Richard Ganem. They remained in Scarborough for many years and raised their four children together.

Diane was a stay-at-home mom while her children attended school, and devoted herself to their athletic events and other activities. For many years, she volunteered with Scarborough Little League and never missed a game her sons played in. As a mother, she was always there for her children and was always the first person we would call to share in our successes and seek support during our life challenges. She was always a very loving and supportive mother to all her children, grandchildren and family.

After raising her children, Diane and her husband relocated to the Auburn area, where they ran a small business and later worked many years for the Maine Turnpike. After retiring in 2007, she enjoyed spending time with her family and her many grandchildren. She also was an expert knitter and every year sent mittens to Weeks Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard J. Ganem, of Auburn; and her four children, Richard and his wife, Margaret, of Indianola, Iowa, Susan (Ganem) Forkus of Bryant Pond, Nancy Ganem Bond and her husband, Jim, of Shapleigh and Anthony and his wife, Christine, of New Gloucester. She is also survived by her sister, Serena Jaynes; brothers-in-law, Silas Harmon and Fred Ganem Jr.; sister-in-law, Patricia Cote; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Geraldine Zachow Harmon; and her son-in-law, Michael Forkus.

The family would like to thank the staff at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in Auburn for their care and support during Diane’s illness.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.