Diana Abbey (Sayers) Rutherford, 81, passed peacefully in the early morning hours of Christmas Day to join her beloved husband of 56 years, Gordon D. Rutherford. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut to the late Mary Adams Oliver and Dr. Daniel O. Sayers, she spent a happy childhood as both a Connecticut Yankee and a North Carolina girl. A graduate of Saint Margaret-McTernan School and Wellesley College, she returned to Waterbury in 1962 and met her future husband while they both worked at Connecticut General Life Insurance. They married a year later and made their home in the Simsbury Village of Tariffville among neighbors who became extended family. Once her children were of school-age, she took a job in the Simsbury Public School system to share the same daily and yearly schedule as her daughters and sons. During her many years at SHS, she was an invaluable member of the administrative team. Affectionately known as “Mrs. R,” Diana was most often the first face an erring and anxious student would meet at “the vice principal’s office,” the kind voice on the dreaded phone call to parents, the expert matchmaker of tutors for students with extended home stays, and the master planner of graduation ceremonies. She carried out these duties with her characteristic compassion and humor, diplomacy and aplomb. Diana was also deeply committed to her church, particularly in service to music ministry where she served for over 40 years. “With a voice of singing,” she was a joyful member of the Chancel Choir and Women’s Praise Choir, a founding member of the Choral Bells Handbell Choir, and a talented page-turner for the organists. Above all else, her greatest treasure was her family, and she was happiest when they were all together for Sunday dinners at home. It’s a tradition they will endeavor to continue in the wonderful, welcoming, and comforting ways she did. She will be dearly, dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by her.

Diana is survived by her children, Susan (Greg) Orred, Steven Rutherford, Leslie Ann (Jeff) Reynolds, and Dan (Kelly) Rutherford; her grandchildren Wesley, Garrett, Will, Abbey, Calvin, Avery and Colby; her brothers and sisters-in-law Dan (Kathy) Sayers and Tom (Sherry) Sayers; her special friends Margo and Joyce; her Sayers and Oliver cousins and many nieces and nephews; her extended families her children married into (Orreds, Reynolds, and Demskis); her Tariffville neighbors (past, passed and present); and her church family. Her children would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at McLean, especially Paula, who helped ease her final months.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11AM on Saturday, September 17th in the Palmer Hall at First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Memorial contributions may be made to The First Church of Christ, 680 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, CT 06070 or to McLean Care of Simsbury , Development Office, 75 Great Pond Rd, Simsbury, CT 06070.