Diane F. (Collins) Markowski

Diane F. (Collins) Markowski of Worcester passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025, surrounded by love and affection. She was 85 years old.

Diane was born May 3, 1940. She was one of five children born to Marion L. (Flynn) Collins and Edward J. Collins, Sr. Diane’s passing marks the end of an era for her family lineage, as she was pre-deceased by her brothers Neal Collins, Edward J. Collins, Jr., Lawrence Collins and most recently by her sister, Patricia Collins. Diane’s spicy spirit would be pleased to note that she was the last one standing.

Diane spent her entire life in Worcester. She met her love, Richard Markowski, and together they raised their family of five. Life was good for Diane. Her years were filled with the small pleasures that mean the most: piling too many people in the car for a ride to Riverside Park, Sunday family dinners, card games, Michigan Rummy, travels to the West coast, Hawaii and other destinations, singing and dancing. She worked many years throughout Worcester County as a waitress, a job she loved. She served weddings at The College of the Holy Cross, lunches at Ed’s Place, and at the Frohsinn Club she enjoyed socializing with all of the guests while she served their drinks. She followed the Worcester Men of Song and sang with the Sweet Adelines. She was a member of the Polish American Veteran’s Club, the Polish Naturalization Club, the Irish Club and a devout member of St. Bernard’s Church/Our Lady of Providence Parish. She loved playing Bingo and going to the casino, but more than anything, she loved being a grandmother and great grandmother. Diane was also an animal lover. She bought Dollar Store treats and toys for her beloved grand-pets, Milo, Precious and Duke. Even in her late stages of dementia, she would light up if shown pictures of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and grand-pets. Her joy at the small things in life and her sassy and gregarious nature will be missed.

Diane was pre-deceased by her husband, Richard Markowski (2016) and her beloved daughters Marianne LeBlanc (2023) and Lorrie Carlson (2025). She leaves behind her son, Paul Roche and his wife Joyce of Holden; her daughter Jeanne Rafferty and her husband Richard of Northborough; and her son Don Markowski of Barre. She will be missed by her grandchildren Ricky Renauld of Worcester, Amy (Amato) Conners of Westborough, Alison (Roche) Colebrook of Holden; Kelley Roche of Holden; Jared Markowski of Barre; Steven Markowski of Worcester; Stephanie (Carlson) McNutt of Dudley; Melanie (Carlson) Leblanc of Auburn; Travis Rafferty, Jack Rafferty, Meredith Rafferty and Mackenzie Rafferty of Northborough. In addition, Diane leaves behind her great-grandchildren Abby Renauld of Leominster, Camille and Kendra Conners of Westborough; Adelyn and Liam McNutt of Dudley and Mason and Lydia Leblanc of Auburn.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation, particularly Zita, Anne and Ruth on the Courtyard Memory Care Unit, and Amber and Kim of Brookhaven Hospice. Diane was treated with dignity, respect and affection by these people during her last days.

Please join the family in celebrating Diane on Monday, August 11, 2025. Calling hours will be held at Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel from 9:00am to 10:30am. Funeral Mass will begin for 11:00am at St. Bernard’s Our Lady of Providence Parish, Lincoln Street in Worcester. Immediately following Mass, Diane will be laid to rest with her husband Richard at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, MA.