Diane Anita (Walker) Dussault

CAPE ELIZABETH – Diane Anita (Walker) Dussault, 87 years old, died peacefully in the loving arms of her daughters Gayle Coluccio and Sharon Sweeney, on Aug. 19, 2025, at Piper Shores Longterm Care in Scarborough.

Diane led an extraordinary life, a brilliant woman ahead of her time. Diane was born on July 7, 1938, at Maine General Hospital in Portland, to Ethel Elise (Dahl) Walker and Perley Orville Walker. Diane graduated from Deering High School, Class of 1956. Following graduation, she went on to attend Maine Medical School of Nursing and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Joseph’s College. She then received her Master of Science degree in Adult Education at University of Southern Maine. Diane was employed by Maine Medical Center for more than 40 years. She started her career at the young age of 15 as a Candy Striper and later flourished as an Operating Room Nurse for decades.

Diane’s love for education propelled her to become an Instructor at Maine Medical Center’s School of Surgical Technology and was beloved by the hundreds of students she taught. After helping to build the program, she was promoted to Assistant Director and ultimately became the Director of The Maine Medical Center School of Surgical Technology. She was instrumental in making the program become nationally accredited and later served on The National Association of Surgical Technologists Accreditation Review Board.

As a part of her illustrious career, Diane also served as the Chairperson of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Advisory Committee, Chairperson of Cape Elizabeth Community Services Advisory Committee, and was a Member of People’s Regional Opportunity Program’s (PROP’s) Foster Grandparent Program Advisory Committee. Diane also volunteered for Children’s Miracle Network and the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. In addition, she volunteered for Cedar’s Nursing Care Facility and was a Member of their Auxiliary Board. Diane retired in December of 1998.

Diane married Allen Wayne Dussault in June of 1963. Diane quickly learned Allen’s professional ballroom dancing skills and they were magic on many a dance floor. They shared two daughters, Gayle Elizabeth and Sharon Elise, who they raised in Cape Elizabeth. After a long day working at MMC helping enhance and save thousands of lives, Diane loyally attended every one of her daughters’ activities, including dance recitals, sporting events, band concerts, and theater performances.

Diane nurtured lifelong friendships, with whom she spent time marathon shopping and attending theater performances. She also enjoyed travelling and cruising extensively with her daughters and friends all over the world; some of her highlights were taking her entire family on a Caribbean cruise, and going on a Mediterranean cruise with her daughter, Sharon, and lifelong friends, Marti and Brian Hawkins. One of her favorite pastimes was to thoughtfully plan and host Grammy Camp at Sebec Lake with her friend, Bonnie Nelson, where they would orchestrate daily themed activities and dinners for their grandchildren. Diane raised several poodles of all varieties and sizes, all of whom she adored.

Diane also had numerous interests at which she excelled, ranging from sewing, knitting, and flower arranging, to reading, golfing, and travelling. She also amassed an impressive collection of Byers’ Choice Carolers.

In addition to her parents, Diane was predeceased by her husband, Allen Dussault, in 1988. She was also predeceased by several beloved family members; cousins Eileen Watters, of Westbrook, and Lee Van Stone of Coldwater, Mich.; mother-in-law, Phyllis Michaud of Presque Isle; sister-in-law, Jalna Rose of Essex Junction, Vt., brother-in-law, Gary Blanchard, of Westampton, N.J., and sister-in-law, Juanita Blanchard, of Largo, Fla.; as well as lifelong friend, Annie “Nana” Logan of Portland, and many dear friends and colleagues.

Diane is survived by her daughter, Gayle Coluccio and her husband Rocco, Sharon Sweeney and her husband Matthew; granddaughter, Nicole Landry and her husband Nick, grandson, Vincent Coluccio; and her grand dogs, Coki, Zara, Lila and Poppy. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Marge Schwartz of Westampton, N.J., sister-in-law, Pam Isrow and her husband Craig of Del Ray Beach, Fla., Maybelle Blanchard, and Mary Roussel and her husband Andre of Augusta, brother-in-law, Lew Rose of Dade City, Fla., brother-in-law, Mark Crasnick of Portland; and many nieces, nephews; and life-long friends.

Diane will always be remembered for her generosity, quick wit, zest for life, and her timeless fashion sense, class, and elegance. Diane will be missed beyond measure by all who knew her.

Diane’s family would like to thank The Landing in Cape Elizabeth, Piper Shores Longterm Care in Scarborough, and Compassus Hospice of Maine, for their unwavering love, support and care over the past three years.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. at Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church, 280 Ocean House Rd., Cape Elizabeth, followed by a burial at Riverside Cemetery. A Zoom link will be provided for those who cannot attend in person.

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be sent to

Gayle Coluccio

20 Birch Pond Dr.

Saugus, MA 01906 or

Sharon Sweeney

133 Pleasant Valley Rd.

Amesbury, MA 01913

for the soon to be established Diane A. Dussault Scholarship for The School of Surgical Technology.

Diane Anita (Walker) Dussault