Diane E. Shevenell
July 24, 1942 ~ May 17, 2016
Diane E. Shevenell of Cape Elizabeth passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at her home, surrounded by loved ones. The daughter of Thomas (Tony) and Marjorie E. (Bryan) ODonnell, she was born on July 24, 1942 in Portland, and graduated from Deering High School in 1960. Diane attended the University of Maine in Portland and Orono, graduating with a B.A. in History and Government in 1964. Earning an internship with Maines U.S. Representative Stanley R. Tupper, she spent her junior year in Washington D.C. where she met Raymond Shevenell, a fellow Portland native attending Georgetown University. Ray Diane got engaged under the apple trees at Orono and were married at St. Josephs Church in Portland on May 15, 1965. Settling in Portland, Diane ran Representative Tuppers Maine office until the end of his tenure in Congress. Diane raised her two children, Tonya and Peter, then returned to the workforce after earning her real estate brokers license. Her successful practice spanned over 40 years at Legacy Properties/Sothebys International Realty, Town Shore Associates, Mark Stimson Associates, and Century 21/Balfour Realty. She was an officer of the Portland Board of Realtors. A parishioner of St. Bartholomews Church in Cape Elizabeth, Diane served as President of its Womens Club, and wrote its newsletter under Father Michael McGarrigle. She was a member of other local organizations including the Cape Elizabeth Garden Club. Her passions included horses and flower gardening; music, particularly that of son-in-law, Don Campbell and neighbor, Jonathan Edwards; spending time with family on Chebeague Island; the Boston Celtics (especially during the Larry Bird/Robert Parish era); cruising in the Caribbean with her husband; and vacationing on Sanibel Island. Diane is survived by her husband of 51 years, Raymond Shevenell; daughter Tonya; son Peter, daughter-in-law Gina, and granddaughter Lucia; brother David ODonnell and his wife Marie of Monument, CO and Chebeague Island; brother Dana ODonnell and his wife Ida of South Portland; her second son John Scully of Nairobi, Kenya and Southport Island; cousin Eileen Horton and husband Richard and her other loving brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws and nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be from 4-7PMon Sunday, May 22 at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway,South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9AM on Monday, May 23 at St. BartholomewChurch, 8 Two Lights Rd., Cape Elizabeth. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth. To view Dianes memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.
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Ray and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry for the loss of Diane.
– Peggy Johns
Thinking of you Tonya from all of us.MY MOTHER KEPT A GARDENMy Mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart, She planted all the good things that gave my life it’s start.She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream, Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem…And when the winds and rain came, she protected me enough- But not too much because she knew I’d need to stand up strong and tough.Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong- Markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long.I am my Mother’s garden. I am her legacy- And I hope today she feels the love reflected back from me~Author unknown~
– York County Genealogical Society of Franco-Americans Biddeford Maine
Thinking of you Tonya from all of us.MY MOTHER KEPT A GARDENMy Mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart, She planted all the good things that gave my life it’s start.She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream, Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem…And when the winds and rain came, she protected me enough- But not too much because she knew I’d need to stand up strong and tough.Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong- Markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long.I am my Mother’s garden. I am her legacy- And I hope today she feels the love reflected back from me~Author unknown~
– York County Genealogical Society of Franco-Americans Biddeford Maine
Tonya, I’m so very sorry for the pain this loss brings to you and your family and am sending love your way.
– Margo
Ray, Tonya,Sue and I will be praying for all your family during this time
– ted borduas
We are so sorry to hear of Diane’s passing. Our thoughts are with Ray, Tonya, Peter and the rest of the Shevenell and O’Donnell family.
– Nancy Malley Erb and David Erb
Tanya and your family: I am sorry about the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.Judy
– Judy Lessard
Dear Tonya,I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family. Linda
– Linda Sheehy
My thoughts and prayers and well wishes for everyone. Diane was one of my favorite people in the real estate community.
– Karen Moynihan
I am so sorry for your loss, I am thinking of you Ray and your family, Lynne Henderson
– Lynne Henderson
Diane was the first person that I met when moving here with my son in 1996. I had a healthcare job and she was referred to me because Philipa was ill. Diane was so helpful, kind hearted and very patient with me. My 14 year old son went on showings with us and she won him over instantly. Two years later, I called Diane and asked to take her to breakfast, as I was considering becoming a realtor myself. She was candid, supportive and so helpful. I will always have such fond memories of my first chapter here in Maine, and Diane was a huge part of that lovely experience. RIP Diane.
– Judy George
So sorry for your loss, Ray and family. We’re thinking of you on Chebeague Island.
– Gail Miller
tonya,me and roger want to say how sorry we are to hear about your mother’s passing. just to let you know that you and your family are in my and roger’s prayers for along time if you need anything you can email the both of us. love, roger and maryellen
– roger and maryellen lambert
We are so sorry to hear of Diane’s passing. We loved our driveway conversations about kids, dogs, gardens, music and life in general, and we loved being your neighbors. We felt an instant bond with you both, Ray and Diane from the time we met. . It is a sad day indeed.
– Doug and Jenn Stebbins
Dear Tonya and Ray,You have been in out thoughts through the last days and especially today. Our love to both of you and Peter. Joan
– Joan and Maurice
I am so sorry for your loss, Ray. I hope you were able to enjoy some quality time with Diane once you retired. You are in my thoughts and prayers.~Karen
– Karen Grant
Diane was one of the most gracious, wonderful, loving women I have ever met. She and her husband, Ray, raised two amazing children, Peter and Tonya. I am honored to have known Diane since Tonya and I were in high school. She was so kind and warm to me over the last 30 plus years. I will miss you greatly, Diane.
– Darcy Halvorsen
Our Deepest condolences and prayers are with you Raymond, Peter and the rest ofthe rest of Dianes family. Heaven has another angel and the skies have another star.
– York County Genealogical Society of Franco-Americans Biddeford Maine
My deepest condolences to Diane’s Family. I’ll always remember her kind words and sage advice. Diane was a wonderfully warm, lovely lady, who will be dearly missed by so many of us in the REALTOR Community.
– Rita Yarnold
Our heartfelt sympathies to Diane’s family. We met Diane sixteen years ago when we moved to Maine as she was highly recommended (realtor) by a friend. We could not have met a more professional, knowledgeable but more importantly a lovely women. Not only did Diane help us (many times through the years) with our real estate transactions she became a friend. We stayed in touch through the years every few months and we spoke a few months ago and we shared the joys of our lives our family updates. I was literally just thinking about her yeatserday and was going to email her pictures of our new outdoor project and just say hi. We are deeply saddened at this loss. We are sure you all know how much she loved you all. You were her joy and I especially (Jean) will miss this special women.
– Jean, Jim and Ryan McQuaid
Dear Tonya, thinking of you during this difficult time.
– Leisa Knight
Ray,So sorry to hear of your Loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and Prayers.
– Kelly Skillings
To the Shevenell,I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Diane.So sorry for your family.Kristen Tully
– Kristen Tully