Diane Marie "Rita" Connell

LOWELL Diane Marie "Rita" (McDougall) Connell, age 78, a lifelong resident of Lowell, passed away peacefully at Lowell General Hospital on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Lowell on March 24, 1946, and is the daughter of the late Edward and Gladys (McGrail) McDougall.

Diane was a parishioner of St. Michael's Church. She attended St. Michael's Grammar School, and was a graduate of Lowell High School with the class of 1964.

Diane worked at the Strand Theatre, Raytheon, District Court, Community Teamwork, Zayres and retired from Bradford Industries.

She enjoyed cooking, knitting, making puzzles, playing games with her grandchildren, crossword puzzles, playing cards (Scat), listening to oldies music, taking trips to the beach, vacationing in North Conway and Florida. She was a very loving person who will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and the love of spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She will be missed profoundly.

Diane is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Connell) Negri and husband Tony Negri with her grandchildren Myranda and Maggie Cowgill and her daughter Kerry (Connell) Jones and husband Jeffrey Jones with her grandchildren Evan Connell and Shayla Inglis. She is also survived by her sister Jill (McDougall) Plouffe and her husband Don Plouffe along with her late sister Carole Brunelle and her husband Raymond Brunelle. Along with her four godchildren the late Michael Dumont, Raymond Brunelle, Allison (Smith) Reaves and Gavin (McGee) Plouffe.

She also leaves her aunts Evelyn Smith and husband Charles Smith and Marcia McGrail. Her very dear and special friend Donna Dumont whom she met in kindergarten. Along with nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.

She was the aunt of the late Christine Ayotte who was like a daughter.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 1pm to 4pm at the DRACUT FUNDERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Ave., Dracut. Funeral Service and Interment will be held privately. Memorial donations may be made in Dianes memory to St Jude Childrens Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate.

Service Details
Visitation
When
August 10, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location
Dracut Funeral Home
Address
2159 Lakeview Avenue
Dracut, MA 01826