Diane Dupuis

BRYANT POND – Diane Dupuis, 69, died at her home in Bryant Pond Oct. 19, 2022, after a lengthy illness. Diane lead a life of opportunities and challenges with a remarkable determination and energy that’ were her hallmark. Born in Biddeford, Maine, on June 13, 1953, to a large family of mixed French Canadian, Irish and Native American background, she was the daughter of Florida M. and Alphonse N. Dupuis, the granddaughter of Elise Couture Butler, and great-granddaughter of Sophronie Sevigny. Raised on a small homestead in what was then the rural outskirts of town, she spent her early childhood speaking French and attending French language schools. Fully bilingual by the time she attended Biddeford High School, she went on eventually to earn a master’s degree in Education in ESL (English as a second language). Prior to that, although she held an undergraduate degree from Hampshire College, she spent her early working years running her own painting company, being one of the few successful female contractors in the construction industry in southern Maine. Simultaneously, she opened a dance studio in Portland, specializing in adult-oriented classes including a very popular belly dancing program. In mid-life she earned a Masters Degree from USM in Portland and started a two-decade-long career as a teacher, working in schools in Fryeberg, Oxford, and Lewiston. In addition to ESL, She taught English, literacy and ethics, both at the secondary and community college level. She became known for helping develop a literacy program that was so well-received that she was sent by the publishing company Harcourt and Brace to present it to schools in California and Texas. In the middle of a busy career, she also oversaw the construction of her own home in Stoneham, sold it, helped build another in Sumner, then purchased and renovated a large Victorian in South Paris, which she and her husband, Terrance (T.L.) Magee ran as a bed and breakfast. In 2011, they moved to Bryant Pond where, retiring from teaching due to a work-related injury, she turned a life long interest in sewing and fabric into a unique women’s clothing store; Goddess Robes. With her husband, T. L., she rehabilitated an historic building on Rt. 26, and set up the Goddess Robes store and studio. There, she custom designed ornate and formal robes, selling to people from all over the country who stopped in to investigate the colorful storefront. In later years, she became a member of the West Parish Congretional Church in Bethel. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, T.L., and by sisters Barbara, Patricia, Clare and Susan. She is survived by a sister Donna Dupuis of Biddeford and a brother Thomas Dupuis of Limerick, a beloved step-aunt, Lee Burns of Texas, and a trusted and loving friend and partner, Phil Blampied, of Bryant Pond.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Paris Public Library.