Diane Louise Higgins

AUBURN – Diane Louise Higgins, 74, of Auburn, passed away on March 22, 2026, after a brief illness.

She was born in Portland on Jan. 3, 1952, to Theodore and Norma Higgins. Diane graduated from Gray-New Gloucester High School in 1970 and attended Andover College, graduating in 1972. In her early years, she held many jobs, including switchboard operator at Pineland Center and waitress at The Galley and Cole Farms. Diane married Robert B. Vyr in 1973, and they lived in Gray and Lewiston.

Diane retired from the Maine Department of Human Services after 36 years of service. After retiring, she stayed active in her church, the Grange, and the Red Hat Society, and she enjoyed kayaking and spending time at the seashore. Diane was always ready to help—whether by driving friends or neighbors to appointments and errands, or to church and community events.

Diane’s love of theater and music began with her grandparents, Lee and Louisa Bishop, who took her to plays and shows when she was young. She later enjoyed many live performances, crisscrossing the state to experience Maine summer theatre and traveling to Broadway shows in New York City.

While Diane had no children of her own, her siblings, nieces, and nephews were frequent recipients of her love, kindness, and generosity. She rarely attended a family gathering without bringing toys or gifts for the children. Even as they grew older, “Aunt Dee Dee” remained a joyful, supportive presence in their lives. As the eldest, Diane always looked out for her younger brothers—“her boys”—and even worried about who would care for them when she started school.

Diane was predeceased by her parents and grandparents. She is survived by her brother Chris and his wife Karen of Longview, Texas, her brother Michael and his wife Judy of East Boothbay, her brother Mark and his wife Nance of Gray, her sister, Lisa, of Casco, and her brother Eric and his partner Steve Garcia of South Portland.

She is also survived by her maternal aunt, Jeannette Fox of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; nine nieces and nephews; 20 great-nieces and great-nephews; and many friends.

A private memorial service will be held in the summer.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

Gray Congregational Church in Gray or to:

Andwell Health Partners in Lewiston