Dianne Marie Allen Rodrigue

FALMOUTH – Dianne Marie Allen Rodrigue, 57, a courageous and loving woman, passed away on June 18, 2023, surrounded by the love of her husband.

Born on Oct. 20, 1965, in Rapid City, S.D. Dianne spent her formative years in the warm embrace of a midwestern upbringing: riding bicycles to school, weekends spent water skiing and boating on Lake Pactola, and ski trips with friends and family to nearby Terry Peak. Dianne exemplified true school spirit throughout her years at Stevens High School, where she played the French horn in the marching band, and supported her classmates as a cheerleader.

Dianne attended Arizona State University, where she studied nutrition and dietetics and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Her experiences at ASU blessed her with cherished memories and friendships, and she was fortunate to reconnect with a number of her sorority “sisters” in Arizona this past winter. Dianne met Stephen Rodrigue in Boston in 1988, while working as an intern at Massachusetts General Hospital. After working as a renal nutritionist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Health Science from Northeastern University. A dedicated and loving wife, Dianne married Stephen Rodrigue, M.D., on September 21, 1991.Over the next 9 years, Dianne worked as a physician assistant in St. Elizabeth Hospital’s cardiac unit, the couple saw the birth of their first child, and they moved to Maine to raise their growing family.

The couple cherished their life together, supporting each other’s professional aspirations and raising their four children in Cumberland and Falmouth, Maine. For Dianne, family mattered the most. She was a warm, kind, and giving mother, and her generosity and support knew no bounds. This generosity and care were not only reserved for her human family; she was a provider of countless treats, lap sits, and walks to Dakota, Amos, and Freddie, the family’s three beloved dogs. She attended every event, game, and recital, while ensuring that her family had the chance to gather around the table for a home-cooked meal each night. Most importantly, she instilled strong values in her children; from small things like table manners and always remembering to write a thank you card, to lifelong lessons in honoring commitments and loving unconditionally.

Hard work and education were also two core values for Dianne. She continued her education later in life, earning an Accounting Degree from the University of Southern Maine. She then put it to use at Baker Newman Noyes, where she worked as a Senior Manager in Healthcare Consulting. She supported each of her children’s educational journeys as well, wherever it may have taken them. Dianne made sure that each of her children learned the importance of hard work and supporting one’s self, even if it meant she herself was giving rides to a shift at Hannaford, to the outlets in Freeport, or to the Portland Seadogs Stadium.

Dianne’s selflessness, generosity, and commitment to her community were apparent throughout her life. She served as President of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O), supporting educational advancements for women in Maine. She also volunteered with the American Red Cross and represented Northern Light Home Care and Hospice as a Board Member. With four active and involved children, Dianne also gave her time to many school and team programs and classroom initiatives.

For someone who cherished warm weather and sunshine, Dianne surprised many with her longtime participation in the Snow Gals outing club, a group of athletic women who reveled in Maine winter adventures like ice climbing, Nordic hut-to-hut skiing, and snowshoeing. Through the frigid temperatures, early mornings, and long days, it was the deep bonds and treasured friendships that kept her looking forward to the next season.

Dianne’s love for life extended to her hobbies, from snow skiing at Sugarloaf or waterskiing on Damariscotta Lake, to enjoying a good book on the beach or a picturesque game of golf in the Black Hills. Her love and knowledge of flowers and gardening were present wherever Dianne and her family called home, with every space brightened by her keen eye and green thumb.

Despite her cancer diagnosis, Dianne showed incredible strength and resilience, never harboring anger or focusing on her suffering. She continued to be active in her community, offering her wisdom and guidance to those around her. Her strong work ethic and dedication to her family remained unwavering, even in the face of adversity.

She is preceded in death by her father, Bruce Allen, M.D. who passed away in December of 2022. Dianne is survived by her loving husband, Stephen W. Rodrigue, M.D. of Falmouth; she was the beloved mother to her incredible children, Emily Rodrigue of Hailey, Idaho, Christian Rodrigue of Denver, Colo. and her twins, Collin Rodrigue of Orono and Annalise Rodrigue of Auburn, Ala. She is also survived by her mother, Jackie Allen of Rapid City, SD; siblings, Karen Failinger of Denver, Colo., Susan Sheehan and husband Brian of Tampa, Fla., and Richard Allen, M.D. and wife Claire of Rapid City, S.D.

A Celebration of Dianne’s remarkable life will be held on Sunday, June 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Woodlands Country Club, 39 Woods Rd., Falmouth. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland. To view Dianne’s memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.