Diane M. Nessar

Diane O’Neil Nessar, was born on July 13, 1935 in Boston and died on January 1, 2019 at age 83. She was one of twelve siblings that included ten sisters and two brothers.  Her parents Daniel and Julia O’Neil would make Boston’s Easter parade an endearing tradition, the sisters dressed in identical outfits, sewn by their mother. Their pictures appeared across the nation, including Life Magazine. The Ten O’Neil Sisters performed in many singing and dancing engagements including a performance with the legendary Ed Sullivan.

Diane attended Blessed Sacrament School in Jamaica Plain, She entered the convent with the Sisters of Charity in New Jersey at age 18.  As Sister Daniel Marie, she taught 2nd grade for many years. Diane went on to earn a masters degree at St. Louis University and taught at St. Elizabeth’s College in New Jersey.  After 13 years Diane left the convent to live in Brookline with her family.  She taught elementary school in Stoughton and Brookline. She met her husband-to-be Paul Nessar also a teacher, they married in 1969. They had a wonderful life together as educators. They also owned thoroughbred race horses,  a passion they both shared. They lived In Hyde Park, Boston and Boca Raton Florida. They traveled to Europe many times, their trip to Egypt and Lebanon was the highlight of their travels.

Diane and Paul were married for 44 years, until his death in 2013. Diane went on to live in Boca Raton and then returned to Quincy for the last few years of her life. She was always ready to create a wedding veil or tutor a struggling student.

Survived by seven of her sisters: Maureen Cloonan of Sagamore Beach,  Evelyn Kiley of Squantum,  Virginia O’Neil of Jamaica Plain, Mary June Hanrahan of Milwaukee, Julie O’Neil of Cambridge, Danielle Mc Greal of Marshfield and Frances Cummings of Boca Raton. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews and dear friends all over the world.

Diane will join her departed husband Paul Nessar, her parents Daniel and Julia O’Neil and siblings, Captain Lawrence O’Neil,  Jane Deery, Barbara Wampole and Daniel O’Neil in everlasting peace.

Notifications will be posted for a memorial service to be held in May, 2019.