A graveside committal service for Dianne M. Bires Ouellet, 66, who died peacefully Sunday, December 22, 2019, will be held Friday, July 9, 2021, at 10 a.m., at Coughlin Memorial Cemetery, Rockland. The Reverend Robert Vaillancourt will officiate.

To share a memory or condolence with the Ouellet family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

WEST ROCKPORT — Dianne M. Bires Ouellet, 66, died peacefully Sunday, December 22, 2019 at the Sussman Hospice House in Rockport. Her loving family was at her side.

Born July 26, 1953 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, she was the daughter of Joseph and Pauline F. Gephard Bires. At six months old, Dianne moved with her family to Baileyville ‘Woodland’ Maine where she was raised. She attended school and graduated from Woodland High School in 1971. Later Dianne attended the University of Southern Maine where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1975. She began her teaching career in southern Maine working for the Cumberland - North Yarmouth school district.

After marrying her college sweetheart, Carmel Ouellet, in 1977, the pair moved to Presque Isle where Dianne continued teaching.

Her career was marked with glowing recommendations from all of her supervisors. Each one of them remarked on her professionalism, loving and caring attitude toward her students, and the insightful way in which she personalized learning for each child in her classroom. Even as a young teacher, she made it her mission to meet each child where they were, making sure individual learning styles were fostered and utilized. Her insightful lesson plans kept her classroom bright and fun and she was considered a great asset to all of the schools that were blessed to have her on staff.

Upon welcoming her own three daughters into the world, Dianne devoted her time and efforts to raising them.

She spent countless hours caring for her family.

She enjoyed researching her family genealogy, tending her beautiful flower gardens, sewing and attending community events. Volunteering her time was important to her, and most recently she enjoyed helping at St. Bernard’s Soup Kitchen in Rockland.

Many admired Dianne’s gentle spirit and kind ways. She had a gracious and understanding personality and outlook on life. She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her parents; Dianne is survived by her beloved husband, Carmel Ouellet, of West Rockport; her daughters, Allison Ouellet and her husband Gerald Rea of Madison, Indiana, Carolyn Ouellet of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Christine Ouellet of Thomaston; as well as her sister, Jolene and her husband Michael Ozga of Durham and Deb Bires of South Portland.

Family and friends are invited to visit at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, in Rockland, Saturday, Dec. 28, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial held immediately following at 1 p.m. A reception will follow in the St. Bernard’s Grispee Center reception hall. The Reverend Robert Valliancourt will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bernard’s Soup Kitchen, c/o St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, 7 Union Street, Camden, Maine 04843.

To share a memory or condolence with the Ouellet family, visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.