Diana Elizabeth Pheister

Dover, NH - Diana Pheister, 80, died suddenly on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at Massachusetts General Hospital. Diana was born on June 15, 1941, in Portland, the daughter of the late Robert and Virginia (Dewey) Merchant. She grew up in Portsmouth where she attended local schools. Diana married Gary Duane Dodds and had three boys, Gary Bruce, Craig Allen, and Troy Adam. The family moved from state to state, since her husband was in the military. She moved back to Portsmouth to live closer to family and friends. Many people may remember Diana working the 4:30am shift at Dunkin Donuts, on Lafayette Road. She was a dedicated worker and was the peacekeeper at home, as she raised her three boys. She later remarried Paul Pheister and spent time traveling with him throughout his military career, living in various places. After she retired, Diana spent time RV camping, bowling, gardening, and had a passion for helping others. She was very close to her church family at the Bethany United Methodist Church in Rochester, where she volunteered much of her time. She enjoyed tending to her flowers and strawberries in her garden, cooking baked goods for others, and making friends everywhere she went. She enjoyed going to Florida visiting Craig, Nancy, and Nathan for the yearly "forced family fun," and visiting Troy and Shannon and her grandkids, Griffin and Iris, in Massachusetts. Diana will be remembered as a loving and dedicated mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was predeceased by her son, Craig Dodds; and brothers, Peter and Bobby Merchant. She is survived by her two sons, Gary Bruce and Cindy Dodds of Portsmouth, Troy and Shannon Dodds of Marlborough, MA; a sister, Maureen and Donald Hill of South Carolina; a brother, Richard Merchant of Montana; 5 grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 11AM, at the Middle Street Baptist Church, 18 Court St, Portsmouth, on the front lawn. Diana's wishes were to have her cremated remains scattered at sea, and the family will embark on a boat ride that evening to fulfill that wish. To view Diana's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Memorial contributions may be made in Diana's memory to Adore Pet Rescue, https://adorepetrescue.org/