Diane Badger

Diane (Tremblay) Badger, 70, a talented artist, inspired by the Vermont landscape and love of her family and friends, passed away on August 24, 2021 in loving care of the Ruth McLain Hospice House. A longtime resident of both Norwood, MA and Barre, VT, she spent the last months of her life surrounded by loved ones and is now at peace reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Paul, to whom she was married to for 32 years.

Diane was born February 1, 1951 in Montreal, PQ, Canada. She came to the United States the following August with her parents Paul and Marie Rose Tremblay and three of her siblings, where they settled in Connecticut. Diane eventually became a United States citizen in 1995 which was a source of pride for her.

Diane graduated from Newtown High School in 1969. Music was a large part of her life growing up, and her eight siblings have many fond memories of her playing the guitar and leading them in song. She lived in Hawaii for a short time, and then in Sarasota, FL for several years, where in her spare time she continued to pursue her passion for music by playing guitar and singing with a bluegrass band, Flatland Express. Diane moved to Norwood and married Paul in 1989. Together they built a house on a hilltop in Barre, VT doing much of the construction themselves. Here, she loved to garden, volunteer at her church and spend time with her close friends, as well as volunteering at the polls on Election Day. She enjoyed summer weekends with family and friends, creating fond memories for her grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews.

Diane had a strong faith and was a member of the Barre Free Evangelical Church in Vermont, where she was involved with the Compassion Ministry and Ladies’ Ministry. To personally express her commitment and connection to the Church, Diane created two beautiful 4x8 foot stained glass windows for the sanctuary. In addition, Diane and Paul also worked diligently to make background scenery for the church’s vacation bible school held each summer. Paul built the wooden platform, and Diane hand painted each piece of landscape and bible characters. Diane was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

As a stained glass artisan, Diane maintained a small home studio where she designed windows for both private residences and churches. Her other hobbies included painting, jewelry-making, quilting and writing. Diane was an artist who loved gifting her watercolors, stained glass windows, writing and jewelry to friends and family. Her beautiful designs were always cherished gifts.

Diane’s warmth and compassion extended to animals, especially to her dog, Jesse and cat, Ginger. Both pets were featured in her writing, including a book about Jesse titled, “Off My Leash” and recent short stories about Ginger.

Diane is survived by her step-children, Paul Badger and his wife Joan of North Attleboro, John Badger and his wife Maria of Norwood, Erika Hession and her husband Tommy of Needham and Greg Zaff and his wife Sonja of Cambridge. She is also survived by her siblings, Lorraine Sweeney and her husband Gene, Richard Tremblay and his wife Elaine, Michael Tremblay and his wife Tammi, Steven Tremblay, Alain Tremblay, Susan Tremblay, Kenneth Tremblay and Elizabeth King. Diane also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews as well as grand-nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her loving grandchildren, Paul Michael Badger, Stephanie Badger, Jerome Jackson, Cameron Badger, Zachary Badger, Jake Hession, Griffin Hession and Kristina Zaff.

A celebration of Diane’s life will be held at the Trinity Community Church in Norwood, MA, on Saturday, September 11th at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Diane Badger to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift.