Diane Ellen Pizzo, 88, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with her children by her side. Born in South Portland on February 2, 1937, to George F. Jr. and Agnes (Papazian) Meserve, Diane grew up in South Portland and graduated from South Portland High School in 1955.

After high school, Diane began her career as a telephone operator with New England Telephone Company, later retiring from Verizon after many years of dedicated service.

Diane met the love of her life, John, at a Halloween dance—he was sporting white pants and blue suede shoes, she smartly dressed in a poodle skirt. Their story was pure 1950s magic, as if lifted straight from a jukebox musical, and it never failed to bring a smile whenever it was retold. They married on November 30, 1957, and made their home in Westbrook, where they raised their three children. Diane and John cherished many of the same joys – family always came first, but they also loved trips to the casino, discovering new golf courses in Maine, and travel - golf excursions to Myrtle Beach and PEI among the highlights. They shared 53 years together until John’s passing in 2010.

After John’s passing, she and her beloved pup, Buddy, made Old Orchard Beach their home, embracing all the joys she cherished. One of her favorite pastimes was taking Buddy out for a drive to the southern Maine beaches. She also enjoyed many family celebrations, as long as they included an afternoon cocktail (a little “nip”, as she referred to it). Though fiercely independent and private by nature, Diane was always ready with a warm smile and a kind heart for everyone she met. Her loyalty to those she loved ran deep, and her unwavering devotion to family was an inspiration.

Diane is survived by her son, Kevin (wife Amanda Cutler) Pizzo; daughters, Sandy Driscoll (partner John O’Leary) and Beth Pizzo (partner Mike Fennessy); grandchildren and great grandchildren Amanda (Conley) Moran (husband Mark Moran) and their children Rio, Sevino, and Magnus; Derek Driscoll (wife Katelynne Aiken) and their children Theodore, Adaleine, and Sullivan; Emma (Cutler) and her partner Lukas Edgecomb; and Anthony Pizzo.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Fallbrook Commons for their compassionate care in Diane’s final months.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, January 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Dolby, Blais, Segee Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 17, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church, Portland. Interment will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, later this spring.

Diane will be forever in our hearts. We take comfort in knowing she is at peace, reunited with her beloved John and cherished pup, Buddy. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.