Diane (Tollins) Abbott
Diane (Tollins) Abbott of Newton, Ma passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 after declining health. She leaves her devoted husband Henry after almost 69 years of marriage. She also leaves her daughters Suzanne, Rosalee and Heidi. She was Bubbe to six grandchildren, Hailey and Jared Virusso, Alex and Nicole Strefling and Stephanie and Mitchell Wilson. Diane was also a great-grandmother to Calix and Casper Virusso-Casasa. She will also be missed by her brother Marty Tollins and his wife, Karen as well as her sister Eileen Masters and her husband Harlan. She was an aunt and cousin and life-long friend to many. She is predeceased by her parents Harry and Mae Tollins (Lato).
Diane was born in Dorchester, MA, in 1935 and graduated from the Jeremiah Burke High School in 1952. She then went on to get her B.A degree in Teaching from Boston University.
After she graduated from BU she married Henry (Hank) Abbott that summer in Brookline, Ma. They lived in Allston and Brighton for 10 years until they moved to a new house in Newton with their three young daughters in 1967. Years later, when her children were grown, Diane got her Master’s degree in Education in Reading from Boston College.
Diane and Hank loved to travel. They have been to dozens of countries and had many adventures. They circumnavigated South America several times, took a boat cruise down the Yangtze River in China, enjoyed safaris in Africa and visited mosques in India. They traveled the Amazon River, Fjords of Norway and the ancient sites of Rome. There is hardly a country they did not visit together over the years.
Diane was very artistic. She loved to paint pictures of people and landscapes. Her work is proudly displayed in many homes. She was a knitter as well. She made each grandchild an (afghan) for their college dorm room. Growing up, the grandchildren always had sweaters and vests made by Diane. She was an active member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the JCC and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Services will be held at Temple Emeth, 194 Grove St., South Brookline at 11:00 am, Sunday, June 22, 2025. Following interment at Temple Emeth Memorial Park, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA Shiva will be held at the Abbott household immediately after services and will continue through Wednesday evening. Visiting hours will be from 12-3 pm and 5-8 pm each day.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the JCC’s Greater Boston’s Camp Grossman, 333 Nahanton St., Newton, MA 02459. Donations will be directed towards scholarships and ensuring a healthy and safe summer for campers.