Diane Hillier Finlay's Obituary
Diane Hillier Finlay, 76, of Pike, NH and more recently Newburyport, MA, passed away on August 14, 2024.
Diane was born in Boston, MA to the late Frederic Folsom Hillier and Doris Marston Hillier and grew up in Braintree, MA. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire, and in 1972, married Jacques Perrier Finlay and moved to Pike. She worked as a teacher for almost 40 years in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont. As an educator, Diane was a constant champion of the overlooked and disadvantaged, and she changed many lives through her tough but kind-hearted approach to her students.
Outside of work, Diane enjoyed tending to her Pike homestead. She, Jacques and their two children lived alongside a lively menagerie of animals, which over the years included goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, a Welsh pony, a rabbit, two dogs, numerous cats, a guinea pig and a fish. In addition to her domestic animals, Diane was an enthusiastic and devoted steward of the birds and wildlife that frequented the Pike property, from bats to flying squirrels to (occasionally!) bears.
Diane was also an incomparable wife, mom and grandmother. She gave generously of her time, energy, creativity, quirky sense of humor, and love to all of us. Above all, she taught us, by example, the importance of finding happiness in small, everyday things – a new bird at the feeder, a good raspberry harvest, fireflies on a June night. We are endlessly grateful for the legacy of joy she has left us.
Diane is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Jacques Finlay of Newburyport, MA; her daughter Lara Finlay Mataac and husband Francis of Newbury, MA; her stepson Jacques “Chris” Finlay and wife Sarah Hobbie of St. Paul, MN; her brother Frederic Hillier and wife Laurel of New York, NY and their children Anne and Alison; and her grandchildren Maria and Milena Mataac and Owen and Wil Finlay.
Diane’s family would like to sincerely thank the many caregivers who took care of Diane during her journey with Alzheimer’s Disease, including those at Avita Newburyport and Mary Immaculate in Lawrence, MA. You have an immensely important, difficult and often under-appreciated job, and we are deeply grateful to each of you.
A private celebration of Diane’s life will be held in Pike in the fall. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Diane’s honor to Homegrown National Park at homegrownnationalpark.org or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
What’s your fondest memory of Diane?
What’s a lesson you learned from Diane?
Share a story where Diane's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Diane you’ll never forget.
How did Diane make you smile?