Manchester-by-the-Sea - The family of Diane Coons DeMille (97) sadly announces her passing on February 2, 2026. However, rest assured, she is now happily attending games in the heavenly sports complex, surrounded by all the other angelic sports fanatics.

Diane Rae Bault, the only child of Etta & Raymond Bault, was born June 20, 1928, and raised in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

Sports were Diane's life: It all began with being actively involved on sports teams while attending Friends Central School (PA) to majoring in Physical Education at Russell Sage College (Troy, NY), to later coaching tennis at the Manchester-by-the-Sea (MA) Summer Playground Program and coaching the town's girls' softball, field hockey & cheerleading teams. Diane was also the first elected female president of the Manchester Athletic Association.

While in college she met and married fellow athlete from nearby RPI, Richard (Dick) Coons. Early in their marriage they moved to Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA where they raised their six children. Needless to say, Diane encouraged all her children to engage in sports through their school years. From an early age, all her children were taught to ski, so with that love of skiing the family spent many hours together at ski resorts throughout New England.

Not only did Diane follow and frequently attend her children's and grandchildren's games, she was also a great fan of the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins. She was such a fanatic that her children were forbidden to call and interrupt her television viewing while these teams were playing.

Those who knew Diane found her to be quite the "clothes horse", a very stylish dresser. She was into "retail therapy" and loved to shop. And, for many years she very conveniently worked in the Men's Department of Filene's Department Store.

Diane loved living in the coastal town of Manchester-by-the-Sea for most of her life. On summer days she could often be found on Singing Beach, overseeing her young children's antics. And, once the children had grown and left home, Diane still enjoyed her sunny beach time with her lunch and a good book or the local paper.

After her husband Dick's early passing, she was later married to Alfred DeMille for many years until his passing. For the last several years Diane lived in the Brooksby Village senior residential complex in Peabody, MA. There she enjoyed many wonderful friendships in a community that she humorously & truthfully referred to as "God's waiting room".

Diane leaves behind her children: Daughter Stephanie Coons (Bill Frederick) and Sons Frederick "Fritz" (Brenda), Loren (Marianne), Damon (Gailyn) and Derek. She also leaves behind Daughter-in Law, (aka "Little") Diane Coons. Her son, Lyle Coons, predeceased his mother in 2024. Diane also leaves many incredibly wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Diane's name to the Manchester-by the-Sea (MA) Parks & Recreation Children's Programs & Scholarships, 10 Central Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944.

A memorial service will be held at a date later in the year.

For online condolences, please see www.greelyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.