Diane L. Hersey

STERLING – Diane L. Hersey, 67, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2017 at UMass Memorial Healthcare-University Campus, Worcester, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Norwood, Diane was the daughter of the late Ralph and Edith J. (Ecklund) Hersey and lived the last 43 years in Sterling. Diane was a graduate of Norwood High School, Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont and Clark University in Worcester. Her artistic gifts, natural ability, talent for interior design, and skill to translate her client’s thoughts into finished products, were the hallmark of her successful 30 year career as a designer. She began her journey working as a designer and space planner for M. Brown Co., Edwards Paint and Wallpaper Store and Home Depot. She later worked for Kitchen Views department at National Lumber Co. in Berlin and the last several years for The Stone Cobblers in West Boylston where she was considered the “go-to” designer. She had an immense appetite for living, a captivating sense of humor, and a charismatic personality. Her children remember her as intelligent, outgoing, self-reliant and resilient. First and foremost, Diane's life was centered on her family. She was her children and grandchildren’s biggest fan and would attend as many of their activities as possible. In her childhood she loved spending time with her family at their summer cottage in Dennis. She was an avid and seasoned New England Patriot’s fan who frequently showed her enthusiasm in very animated ways. Several years ago, Diane was reacquainted with a childhood friend she met at age 15 while vacationing at her summer home on the Cape. Nearly 50 years after their young relationship had ended, while searching the internet for kitchen plumbing fixtures, Jack McWilliam of Duxbury, recognized Diane’s picture, contacted her and the childhood sweethearts started communicating again. After corresponding for several months via email they agreed to meet at Mayflower Beach…the rest is divine history. Although her storybook love with Jack was cut short with her passing, she often commented on how grateful she was for the precious time they had together. She will be affectionately remembered and missed by her daughter, Maria A. Emerson and her husband, Neil of Worcester; her son, Erik J. Moller of Sterling; two brothers, Richard Hersey and his wife, Kathy of Berkley and Mark Hersey of Tiverton, Rhode Island; two grandchildren, Kaley Moller and Neil Emerson, Jr.; her beloved nieces and nephews; and her long-time companion, John “Jack” D. McWilliam of Duxbury. Relatives and friends are invited to honor and remember Diane’s life by visiting her family from 12:00 to 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 4, at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. A funeral service will be celebrated at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UMass Memorial Cancer Research, checks payable to UMMF, UMass Medicine Development Office, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit our "Guest Book" here on this page.