Diane E. Brothers

Diane E. Brothers, 66, of Fredericksburg, gained her bedazzled and bejeweled angel wings on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

Diane was born on January 14, 1953 in Boston, MA. She was the daughter of the late George and Marion Thomas, of South Weymouth, MA. Diane grew up in South Weymouth and graduated from Weymouth High School. After graduation, she chose nursing as her career path and attended the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing. Diane moved to New York City to work after graduation and as fate would have it, she met the love of her life, James “Jimmy” Brothers. They married on October 18, 1980 in Weymouth, MA. After spending a few years living in Florida, they eventually settled in Fredericksburg in 1987 to raise their family. Diane continued her career in nursing at Mary Washington Hospital. In her more than 30 years with them she wore many hats, most recently as a Nursing Supervisor and a member of the hospital’s Organizational Ethics Committee. Diane also worked part-time for South Shore Hospital in Weymouth as an Administrative Clinical Coordinator for the past 14 years.

Diane obtained her undergraduate degree in nursing (BSN) at Old Dominion University and completed her graduate degree in Biomedical Ethics at the University of Virginia. Diane’s passion and expertise were in end of life issues. She was a strong advocate and educator for Advance Medical Directives and organ and tissue donation. Diane loved the quote from Maxie Scully, “Don’t take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here.” Diane worked closely with LifeNet Health through her many positions at Mary Washington Hospital, in addition to her being a first responder to them.

Diane was happiest being near the ocean and spending time with her grandchildren. She loved reading, knitting, and traveling. Favorite trips included Ireland, Maine, Nova Scotia and Mexico. She had planned a trip to London and Paris in June of this year. Her daughter, Maureen and granddaughter, Abi will complete the trip in her memory.

Diane will be remembered by all who knew and loved her as a mentor, advocate, nurse leader, manager, respected colleague, sister in nursing, and most importantly…a FRIEND.

Diane is survived by her daughters, Marion Brothers Dudley (Michael), of Fredericksburg and Maureen Brothers Coleman, of Plymouth, MA; three step-children Jim Brothers (Marianne) and Brian Brothers (Dodie), both of Valley Cottage, NY, and Lisa Maggio (Joe), of Pearl River, NY; her adored grandchildren, Abi, Michael, Jr., and Wyatt, who loved their “Mips”; step-grandchildren Keri, Jimmy, Katie, Michael, Steven, Paul, Allie, Christina, and Maleigha “Lei” Dudley; sister, Joanie Conkling (David) of South Weymouth, MA; and hrt niece, Lauren Conkling of Weymouth, MA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy; and a stepdaughter, Denise Ramos (Louie).

A brief memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 18 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg Chapel. Following the service the family will receive friends.

In light of Diane’s “sparkling” personality and love of all things colorful and bright, the family is requesting anyone planning to attend this Celebration of Life, please wear your tiaras or something sparkly in memory of Diane.

A Celebration of Life will also be held at Pond Plain Improvement Association Hall, 330 Pond Street, South Weymouth, MA 02190 on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LifeNet Health Foundation, 1864 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. The family also encourages anyone interested to visit www.donatelifevirginia.org to register to give the gift of life; or the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation, 2600 Mary Washington Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA 22401, Attn: Diane Brothers Nursing Scholarship.