Diane Jane MacRae, age 79, of New Britain, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born on June 5, 1947, in New Britain, Connecticut, Diane was one of the children of Madeline Jane Niedgwiecki (Hughes) and Edward Casmir Niedgwiecki Sr.

She spent much of her life giving to others. With a heart full of compassion, she and her husband devoted themselves to helping those less fortunate. Diane was the founder of Divine Backpacks, an outreach that provided backpacks filled with essential items for those in need, along with a special splash of love.

Her faith was at the heart of who she was. She spent countless hours encouraging others, sharing God’s love, guiding people toward the Lord, and even baptizing others in their faith.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed going fishing with her family. She also enjoyed making dolls, which she would proudly put on display and share with others. Diane also enjoyed trying her luck with an occasional trip to the casino and a few scratch tickets from time to time.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 32 years, Ronald MacRae; both of her parents; her daughter Christine, who passed away at birth; and her siblings, Butch, Richard, Bruce, Steven, and Brenda.

She is survived by her siblings, Gloria, Rosemary, Patty, Sandy, Denise, Marianne, Gary, and John; her children, James Jr. and Edward Sr.; her stepchildren, Christine and Michael; her grandchildren, Nicole, Sean, Taylor, Lee-ann, Gavin, Mark James, Edward Jr., Julie, Nate, Rachel, Steven, Jacob, and Eric; and her great-grandchildren, Zane, Camdynn, and Capriice.

A Celebration of Life service and potluck dinner for family and friends will be held on September 20, 2026, from 12-6 at The Little Meeting House, 719 Roosevelt Trail, Windham, Maine 04062.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Diane’s memory at: Diane's Go Fund Me