Dianne M. (Fontaine) Brown

Dianne M Brown, 66, of Colby Drive, Coventry, RI, passed away Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Kent Hospital, Warwick, RI after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her children and loved ones who came from near and far to be with her on her final journey. Born in Pawtucket, RI, she was the wife of the late Clifford V. Brown and the daughter of the late Ovila and Juliette(Raymond) Fontaine.

Dianne was a stay at home mom for many years and loved taking care of her family and home. When she did return to work, she worked for Child, Inc., Warwick, RI, for twenty-one years until her retirement. She brought her love of children and caring for people to the classroom and loved running into former students as they grew up and children and parents alike always remembered her fondly for the love she shared in the classroom.

Besides caring for her own children, Dianne was the neighborhood mom where everyone played. Her house was the one where you could dig in the backyard making mud pies and build blanket forts from the clothesline. She also opened her home to Fresh Air Fund children from New York City for years and several summer exchange students from France and Spain with the Nacel program. Dianne wanted all children, especially her children, to understand relationships and the world around us. She couldn’t take her children there, so she brought those children to them.  There were several she introduced to others as her honorary daughter.

Dianne loved the latest season of life: grandchildren. She loved spending time with them: rocking the babies, watching the younger ones run and play and then as they grew, teaching them games and playing until way past bedtime whenever it was allowed. Dianne was always happiest surrounded by her family, of which there were many. Her joy for her children and grandchildren radiated from her when they were all gathered together.

Dianne is survived by six children: Shay Sparks and her husband Dr. Rodney of Maine, Jill Omari and her husband Lewison of Tanzania, Stacy Warwick and her husband Michael, Michael Verrier and his wife Amanda, and Captain Matthew Verrier and his wife Jerika, Scott Soares and his wife Heather, all of Coventry; two stepchildren: Ronald Brown of Connecticut and Joanna Biggs and her husband Stephen of West Warwick; two brothers: Maurice Fontaine and Roland Fontaine; thirty-six grandchildren, four great grandchildren and her lifelong friend Denise Ash and her husband Larry. She was predeaceased by two brothers: Arnold Fontaine and Irving Doyon.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 2:00 pm in the Gorton-Menard Funeral Home & Crematory, 721 Washington Street, Coventry, RI. Calling hours will be prior from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Burial will be at her daughters in New Sharon ME.

For online condolences please visit www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com