GARDINER – Nancy C. Dineen, 85, beloved wife, mother and Nanie, peacefully passed away in the love of her family at Maine General Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Glenridge on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

Nancy was born on Feb. 27, 1937 in Portland, the daughter of Herbert and Helen (Malloy) Carmichael. She attended Deering High School where she was a cheerleader and played on the field hockey and basketball teams. After graduation she continued her studies at Stamford School of Nursing in Connecticut graduating with her bachelor’s degree. She returned to Portland and was employed by the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing as an instructor where she developed a passion for teaching.

She met the love of her life through friends and on August 26, 1961 she married Dr. David F. Dineen in Westbrook. The couple settled in Gardiner and started their family, raising five children. Nancy was a devoted and loving wife and mother. Her love and devotion carried over to her grandchildren. She rarely, if ever, missed any of her children’s or grandchildren’s school functions or extracurricular activities. She acted as driver, coach and fan always encouraging and supporting them in any way she could.

After her children were all in school, she returned to working as an RN at a family practice in Augusta. Later she rediscovered her passion for teaching taking a position teaching in the Certified Nursing Assistant Program in MSAD #11. She was named District Adult Educator of the Year in 1995. She was tough but fair and not only developed high quality CNA’s during her over 20 years in the position but also live long friendships with many of her students.

Nanie, as she was lovingly known by her 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, was a beautiful soul inside and out. She was fiercely independent and known for her kind heart, willingness to listen, fun loving personality, mischievous sense of humor and a smile and laugh that always lit up a room. Her catch phrase of “Howdy” always brought a smile to the faces of her grandchildren. Known to always have a pocket full of jellybeans and to never turn down a piece of black licorice, Nanie was an avid reader, loved to sing and dance, enjoyed shopping, traveling, watching tennis, long walks, and bike rides. She loved the beach, especially Pine Point where she spent time making memories with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed spending time at camp on Sand Pond in Litchfield and at Westways on Kezar Lake in Center Lovell where many good times with family and friends also created lifelong memories.

Nancy was predeceased by her father Herbert, mother Helen; brother Herbert Jr, sister Patti; and son Brian.

She is survived by her husband of over 60 years, David, her sister Maureen, her sister Carol (Ronald Burgess); her son David Jr. and his children Nicole, David III, James and his grandchildren, Christian and Sarah; her daughter Kathleen, her husband Peter Reny and their children Olivia, Madeline, Julia and Anna; her son Steven, his wife Weiping and their son Hutao; her son Matthew and his children Raymond and Helen, his partner Sarah and her children Ethan and Chloe; and her daughter-in-law, Lori and her children Jordan and Alexa. She also leaves behind the large extended Carmichael and Dineen families who each held a special place in her heart.

In the words of Nanie “Okie Dokie, Bye Bye”

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the compassionate and loving care provided to Nanie by all from Glenridge and Androscoggin Home Health.

Visiting hours will be held at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner, Maine on Monday, May 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A catholic funeral mass will be held at Saint Joseph’s Church, 110 School Street, Gardiner, on May 3 at 10 a.m. followed by committal prayers at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com

Those wishing to remember Nancy in a special way may make a gift in her memory by donating to a scholarship for an MSAD #11

Adult Ed graduate pursuing further education in the healthcare field.

Donations in Nancy’s name can be made through Venmo @nancydineenscholarship





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