Diana Lee Shumway

Diana Lee Smith Shumway of Branford, CT passed away Tuesday February 20, 2018 at Yale-New Haven Hospital from heart disease. She was the beloved wife of the late Nelson Shumway. Diana was originally from Saranac Lake, NY, she lived in Branford for the past 53 years.

Diana is survived by her sisters, Margaret Hart of Utica, NY and Beverly Groth of Hilton, NY, and her brother, Joseph Smith of Watertown, NY.

She was predeceased by her parents Oliver and Mary Fletcher Smith as well as her sisters, Pat Howe, Dorothy Naegele, Joan Neese, Shirley LaMas, and brothers, Oliver Smith and John "Jack" Smith. She will also be greatly missed by her 27 nieces and nephews, 57 grand nieces and nephews, and 42 grand-grand nieces and nephews.

Diana's family meant the world to her. She was always the one to plan family reunions in Saranac Lake and kept in regular contact with most of her nieces and nephews. She was truly the glue that kept the Smith clan together. Diana worked as a personal care giver for many years. Caring for others was truly her calling in life. If anyone needed a helping hand, Diana was always there to extend hers with love and compassion. Diana loved to travel, never wanted to miss a good time, and loved to have fun with her dear friends, especially Elizabeth Ann, Betty, Marie, Holly Lu, and until their recent passing, Lois and Dot. Diana was very active for many years at St. Elizabeth Church in Branford, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and on the Altar Guild. She was a member of the Short Beach Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, June 16 at 1:00 PM at St. Bernard’s Parish, 27 St. Bernard Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Her burial will take place immediately after at St. Paul’s Cemetery on the Fletcher Farm Road in the Town of Franklin. A celebration will take place immediately after her burial in the Great Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake, 57 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.