Dianne Elizabeth (Spear) Bridgwood

passed away, unexpectedly and peacefully, of natural causes on January 12, 2023. She was raised in East Bridgewater, the eldest child to James and Blanche Spear, and older sister to Charles “Buddy” Spear.

Her childhood was filled with dancing, singing, and playing piano. She fondly remembered tap dancing and performing with her brother. She was an adventurer from an early age, almost causing her parents to be arrested, and once accidentally set a field on fire. Fortunately, the fire department put it out and she was never caught, otherwise her life might have taken a different turn.

She graduated from high school in 1955 with the idea to work with children. One summer, as a nanny on Cape Cod, she reconnected with a former classmate, Richard Bridgwood. They fell in love through letter writing, as he was off serving as a naval aviator. They were married on what Dianne claimed was the hottest day of the year, June 15, 1957. She had just turned 20 the week prior. Perhaps that heatwave was responsible for her lifelong fascination with knowing the weather. Until the iPhone weather app stole her thunder, she was the go to weather guru for the family and could, if asked, tell you exactly what to expect.

She began studying elementary education at Bridgewater State College, but ended up withdrawing due to complications with a pregnancy. She went on to have three children, who she loved immensely. Dianne’s love language was spending time with people, and her children were so blessed with the many hours they spent together, usually laughing or solving the world’s problems. Throughout her life she volunteered and continued to work with children. She helped at a school for children with profound special needs, taught Sunday school, volunteered in the local schools, and happily hosted her children’s friends, and then her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was fascinated with the personalities and aptitudes of children. She had a gift of accepting and unconditionally loving people.

As a new bride she accidentally set the kitchen curtains on fire while attempting to boil water. Despite that rocky start she went on to become a fabulous self taught cook, party planner, and the queen of holidays. Under Dianne’s rule, birthdays were never just for one day-it was really more about the whole week and perhaps the month! The parties she threw for her children were whimsical, such as the Hansel and Gretel party where they traipsed through the woods following breadcrumbs and tore apart a gingerbread house cake, or the pirate party where they solved clues as they searched for treasure.

As a navy wife she embraced living near the beach, especially Key West and San Diego. She was active in the wives club, entertained and played cards and tennis. Once in CA, while her husband was deployed, she moved the family into a lovely house closer to the beach. She treated the neighboring celebrities like regular people and hired their children as babysitters!

As she and Dick transitioned to civilian life, and moved back to East Bridgewater from the West Coast, they made their most meaningful joint decision, which was to accept Christ as their personal savior. Dianne really wrestled with this, somehow knowing how it would change the trajectory of her life. As always though, once she decided on something she was fully committed. Her life was a testimony to how much she loved and lived for Jesus.

After decades of being a happy stay at home mother, she ventured into the workforce, first as a retail worker, then a jewelry buyer, and eventually opened her own business as an image consultant. She had a knack for understanding how people could highlight their natural beauty and dress in a way that best represented their personality. Anyone who married into the family got a free consultation!

She was an avid gardener, mystery enthusiast, knitter, seamstress, and lover of nature. Richard was her best friend, and together they grew and canned vegetables, raised chickens, bred dogs, read prolifically, and always had a to-do list ready to go! She loved to travel and was the designated planner of where to go, what to see, and where to eat. She was equally comfortable camping or lounging at a resort. It was always about the experience. She was the family’s unofficial tour guide and instilled a love of history, as well as reading, in her children.

Retirement gave them more time to relish their grandchildren with games, puzzles, books, ice cream celebrations for the end of school, limbo parties, and long days at the beach.

In the midst of retirement, and with some trepidation, Dianne agreed to teach the women’s bible study at her church. She recognized she felt inadequate but trusted that God would equip her. She spent countless happy hours each morning studying the bible and various commentaries. Tuesday morning bible study was a highlight of the week for her. When, after 63 wonderful years of marriage, she lost her husband, it was those women who helped her transition to a new season of life. For the first time ever, she lived alone and showed us how to do it with joy and style.

Her passing was a shock but her family is grateful to know she knew no pain and lived life fully to the end. They are comforted knowing she is with Jesus, reunited with her husband, and that they will see her again.

Dianne was predeceased by her husband Richard Bridgwood. She is survived by her brother Charles Spear of Gulf Breeze, FL; her three children and their spouses, Joel and Sarah Bridgwood, Julie and Jeff Kobold, and Alison and Steve Trudel, all of Brewster; her nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Peter and April Bridgwood with Autumn and Asher of Waltham, Adria and Jon Thompson with Bjorn and Aren of Raeford, NC, Gillian and Joe Inkrott with Luke and Caleb of Billerica, Madeleine Kobold of Brooklyn, NY, Grace Kobold of Brewster, and Joy, Shepard, Hayden, and Sadie Trudel of Brewster; her sister in law Janet Bagnulo of Farmington, ME and brother in law Fred Bridgwood of Myrtle Beach, SC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service is planned for Saturday January 21, 2023 at Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church, 3600 Main Street, Brewster, MA at 10:00 am. All are welcome. The family will be receiving visitors as you enter beginning at 9:30. Light refreshments will be served immediately after.

Dianne will be buried with Richard at MA National Cemetery in Bourne. The burial will be private and held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dianne’s beloved women’s ministries by sending a check to the Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church 3600 Main St Brewster, MA 02631. (Make checks payable to CCBAC and write Bridgwood women’s ministries in the memo)