Diane J. Padula

She was born Feb. 11, 1951, in Waterville, the daughter of Ervin M. and Joan (Doyle) Bickford.

She graduated from Lawrence High School in Fairfield, class of 1969.

She married Louis Padula on May 5, 2004 in Madison.

For many years Diane did bookkeeping for Cottles Supermarket in Waterville as well as Irvings and Cumberland Farms in Skowhegan. She also worked as a waitress at the Road Runner Café in Skowhegan.

Diane was a member of the V.F.W. ladies Aux. post # 7865 in Madison, serving as Junior vice Commander. She also always participated in helping with the bi-annual turkey pie fund raiser for Top Hat School of Dance.

She enjoyed cooking and baking, crocheting, gardening, dancing and walking with her friends. She also enjoyed hunting and fishing with her Dad when she was younger. She loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her granddaughter, Hailey. They had a very special relationship and Hailey meant the world to her. Diane was a caring, giving, loving woman who always put others needs before her own and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Louis Padula of Anson; one daughter, Gretchen Rinaldi and her husband, Dominick, of Skowhegan, one son, Michael Smith and his wife, Carol, of Cornville, three step daughters, Lisa Benner and her husband, Steven, of Braintree, Ma., Luann Finnerty and her husband, Craig, of Braintree, Ma., Laureen Padula of Quincy, Ma.; two sisters, Linda Baker and her husband, Larry, of Monmouth, Patricia Thibodeau and her husband, Bernie, of Oakland; one granddaughter, Hailey Thorpe, five step grandchildren, Broc Libby, Corey Skehan, Nicole Brown, Jenna and Johnny Finnerty; many nieces and nephews, and her loving, faithful black lab, Bo.

She is predeceased by her parents.

Visiting hours will be Tuesday Aug. 3, 2010 from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm at the Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 at 11:00am at the Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Tanner officiating. Interment will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison.

Donations may be made in honor of Diane Padula to the V.F.W. ladies Aux. post # 7865, 58 Preble Ave., Madison, Maine 04950