Diana Ward

Diana Janet Ward of Windham, Maine, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, September 13, 2023, succumbing to the ravages of cancer. Known affectionately to many as "Lady Di," Diana was born in London, England, one of four sisters who called the Paddington area home. Her maiden name is Niderost, although she never knew her father Frederick, who is believed to have disappeared in Europe amid the chaos of World Ward II.Diana came to Maine in the early 1960s. She had met and married a young Navy sailor stationed in London named Dennis Ward, of Harrison, Maine. The newlyweds made their way stateside, residing briefly in Portland and Windham, Maine before settling in Standish, where they raised their two sons, Jeffrey, and Steven. Diana was well-known for her indomitable spirit of positivity, as well as her pronounced British accent, which she never lost and often exaggerated for fun. But she was better known as the Windham area's very own fitness guru, a reputation she burnished over the course of four decades of motivating clients throughout southern Maine. Diana owned and operated Slim-n-Trim salon in North Windham for several years, and later became an exercise instructor at Windham Adult Education, where she channeled her inner Jane Fonda for years, leading classes until just weeks before her passing. So many students and staff became close friends who Diana cherished. She was extremely proud of her work there, especially when in 2011 she received the Maine Adult Education Association Outstanding Teacher Award. Her own personal fitness was a point of pride her whole life, and she never missed an opportunity to offer others advice and a spark of motivation to "get in shape." Diana was also known for her cleaning business, serving clients throughout the region. For many years, Diana was a member of the British Wives Club, a group that helped expats in Maine get acclimated to their new home. She was also an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Washington Avenue in Portland, and later St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Windham, where she found great friendship and spiritual support. Diana loved to travel, often taking her two young sons "back home" to London to visit family and experience the British culture. She also loved to follow the adventures of the Royal family and had many British souvenirs and artifacts in rooms throughout her home.To her grandchildren and extended family, she will forever be known as "Nana Diana," or just "Nana" -- a nickname she loved and embraced. It became one of her greatest joys to travel to Philadelphia to visit her "Philly family" – a reference to her son Jeff and his wife Ellen Neri, their children and the large extended Neri family who all lived in the area. These trips, as well as those to the Outer Banks in the summer, provided her with many fond memories and funny stories. Diana and her family were extremely grateful for the outstanding medical and spiritual care she received from the staff at Maine Medical Center, The Dempsey Center, Hospice of Southern Maine and Aging Kingdom. Diana is survived by her son Jeffrey Ward, his wife Ellen Neri, their children Liam (fiancée Hannah Rouse),Katharine Baylis (husband Chris), and Matthew Weikel (partner Christine Eriksen); her son Steven Ward (wife Donna) and his son Aidan; her former husband Dennis Ward; two sisters, Margaret Macrow and Barbara Frois; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Episcopal Church, 40 Windham Center Rd, Windham, ME, with Reverand Tim Higgins officiating. Interment will be held afterward at Mayberry Cemetery, 33 Park Road, Windham, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations in Diana's name are encouraged to Hospice of Southern Maine or The Dempsey Center.

Diana Ward

March 5, 1940 - September 13, 2023

Explore Tributes &
Upcoming Services