Dianne (Snow) Brennan passed away peacefully on November 16, 2016. She was the loving wife of John F. Brennan. Dianne was born June 30, 1932 to Marguerite (Sawyer) and Richard Snow in Boston, MA. She spent her childhood years in Winchendon, MA, and graduated as valedictorian from Dean Academy, Franklin, MA in 1949. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Skidmore College in 1953. After college, she lived in Manhattan and worked as a writer for Harper’s Bazaar, where she was a guest editor, and House & Garden magazines.

While at Skidmore College, she met John “Jack” Brennan, who was attending Williams College. Jack & Dianne were married in October 1958 in Winchendon, MA, and in the following years they had five children and lived in Boston, the Lake District of England, Oak Ridge and Knoxville, Tennessee, Saratoga Springs, NY, and Cape Cod, MA. Over the years Jack & Dianne traveled all over the United States, the Caribbean, and the world from England and Ireland through all of Europe, to China, India, Australia and the Middle East.

Dianne was a lover of the arts, served on the board of the Oak Ridge Arts Council, was an avid and talented painter, loved going to musicals and symphonies, and loved to sing and play the piano. She was an accomplished stage actor starring in several local plays in Oak Ridge and later in the Cape Cod film Joe & Joe, in which she played Rose.

She loved to cook wonderful meals for friends and family, creating dishes from all over the world. She was an open-hearted hostess who loved to welcome guests to her home. She loved gardening and nature, and every year would plant and care for a huge vegetable garden in Tennessee. She also knew all the Latin names of all the flowers in her beautiful gardens at her lovely home, Ambleside, in West Dennis on Cape Cod, and shared her love of gardening with her children and grandchildren.

Most of all, Dianne was a loving soul who would give generously of her time and herself to anyone who needed help.

Dianne is survived by her husband John (“Jack”) Brennan, her sister Elise (Snow) Aston, her five children, Kevin Brennan, Tracy Brennan, Kerry Wall, Sean Brennan, and Shannon Olrich, and her nine grand-children, Colin, Ian, Conor, Jack, Liam, Brennan, Finnegan, Will and Eliza.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016 from 4 – 6pm at Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Avenue, South Yarmouth, MA 02664, and the Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth, MA, followed by a Burial Ceremony at the Massachusetts National Cemetery.

The Brennan Family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Wingate (formerly Epoch) of Brewster for their care of Dianne.

In lieu of flowers, the Brennan family would like to request that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Dianne’s memory online at www.alz.org/manh or by mail to Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472

Dear Brennan Family, I offer my deepest condolences upon the passing of one of the most delightful people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Diane was always smiling and could converse with anyone about anything. When a guest at your/her home, I always felt welcome; like a real part of the family. I have her to thank for my favorite lemon cake recipe, which I make every summer for my father, and for introducing me to the exhilaration of an outside shower. It was something completely foreign to me at the time, but which I couldn't do without ever again. Such a while ago...those were great times. I understand from personal experience, what it is like to lose a loved one to Alzheimer's....too early most times, unfair all the time. I think of you all often. Wonderful memories... Most sincerely yours, Carmen

Sincerest heartfelt condolences to the fabulous Brennan family. It is easy to understand the saying that the apples did not fall far from the tree. What an incredible life Mrs Brennan lived a true gift to humanity. Rest In Eternal Peace. Steve and Anne Fratalia Norwood MA

My heartfelt sympathies to the entire Brennan family. I will remember you in my prayers. I have so many fond memories of Mrs. Brennan. Peace be with you.