Diane Marie Small, 86, passed away on October 27, 2025, at her home in Tennessee with her loving daughter by her side.
Diane was born in Burlington, Vt., on June 15, 1939, and graduated from Jericho High School in 1957. Later in life she earned her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Trinity College (1983) and her master’s degree in theology from Saint Michael’s College (1994).
Diane’s unwavering faith was a guiding force throughout her life, and she was deeply passionate about her spiritual work and serving others. As a loving mother of four, she instilled in her children the values of kindness, resilience and integrity.
After her children were grown, Diane moved to Selma, Ala., where she dedicated her time and talents to the community. She served as executive director of the Bosco Center, sponsored by the Edmundite Missions, and also worked as the director of religious education at the Queen of Peace Parish.
Diane’s commitment to service continued when she accepted a position as pastoral associate at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in Highlands, N.C., where she also served as president of the Highlands Ministerial Association.
In 2000 Diane returned to Vermont and worked as a certified nursing assistant and house manager at the Vermont Respite House in Williston, roles she held until her retirement in 2015.
Following her retirement, she moved to the mountains of east Tennessee to live with her daughter Francisca and her son-in-law, John. It was there that she welcomed her beloved rescue dog, Mocha, and enjoyed volunteering for the Hospice of the Blue Ridge and at the Ave Maria Food Pantry.
She is survived by her son Philip and his wife, Mary; her daughter Therese and her husband, Tim; and her daughter Francisca and her husband, John; as well as her grandchildren, Tyler, Kaitlyn, Timothy, Hannah, Rylee, Grady, Paige and Maevis; and her great-grandchildren, Harper and Keira. Diane was preceded in death by her son Joseph Small and her sister, Bonnie Allaire.
A service for Diane will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Edmundite Missions, 1428 Broad St., Selma, AL 36701.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the Gentiva Home Hospice team, especially Julie, Penny and Linda, for their compassionate care and the love and support they so generously shared.
Arrangements are being handled by Stephen C. Gregory and Son in South Burlington.
This article appears in Nov 5-11 2025.
Diane, I hold you in loving memory from our years working together in hospice.
Our conversations about spirituality and life are ones I will always cherish, as well as the crown of thorns pin you gifted me. It humbled me to my heart.
To Diane’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. She was one of the very best ones.❤️
Thank you Laurie. She treasured her time there and the people like you who cared as much as she did about the patients and the mission you all had to take care of them.
I wanted to add to my previous comment that I lost my own mother two weeks ago on October 25th. I understand.
I wish you love and healing on this new stage of your lives.
Diane was a beloved coworker at VT Respite House, whose company and camaraderie I cherished and whose memory will remain a blessing, just as her dedication and feisty spirit were to me then. My condolences to her family.