Diane C. (Cafferata) Bachtell

Diane C. (Cafferata) Bachtell, a resident of Stow, MA, and formerly of Belmont, VT and Wethersfield, CT, passed away peacefully on September 29th, at the age of 87.

A devoted daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, Diane guided her family with knowledge, passion, and determination.  She lived by the motto “Live, Love, Laugh, and Learn,” everyday.

Diane was born on April 1, 1936 to Louis and Rose (DonDero) Cafferata in New York City where she developed a passion for the arts, including painting and music, which she greatly enjoyed throughout her lifetime.  Growing up in Forest Hills, Diane was surrounded by a large extended family.

In 1958, Diane graduated from Russell Sage College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.  While living in Troy, NY, she met the love of her life, Edward K. Bachtell (RPI class of ’59).  In 1960, they were married and lived on Long Island, until deploying to Frankfurt, Germany.  During their 4 year tenure in the U.S. Army, Diane and Ed had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe.  Diane spoke of these years as some of the happiest times of her life.  Upon Ed’s discharge from the Army, they settled in Wethersfield, CT.  Diane and Ed further shared a love for Vermont, where they owned 18 acres and built a home in Belmont.  After Ed passed away in 1995, Diane moved to Massachusetts to be closer to her children, while splitting her time between Massachusetts and Vermont.

Diane had a great love for teaching, art, and gardening.  For a number of years, she taught elementary school age children in New York, Germany, and Connecticut.  Art was a particular interest, from painting and crafts, to the more obscure art forms of spinning and weaving.  Diane further enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers at the Stow Community Garden on Tuttle Lane.  In addition, she loved to exercise by taking multiple walks per day.  Diane was a great conversationalist and storyteller, who could captivate her audience with memories of her childhood, touring Europe, teaching, and her family.  Diane loved football and you would often find her cheering on the sidelines at her son or grandsons’ games.

Diane further enjoyed meeting other people and learning what they might have in common. You could put her in a room of strangers and she would come out with a friend.  She was a wonderful baker, best known for her apple and raspberry pies.  Diane never forgot a birthday, always sent birthday cards, and was a wonderful letter writer with beautiful penmanship.

Diane is survived by her two children, Allison Flaherty and her husband Brian of Lexington, MA and Eric Bachtell and his wife Paula of Stow, MA as well as three grandsons, Egan Bachtell, Eli Bachtell and Conor Flaherty, who were the apples of her eye, a brother, Bob Cafferata and his wife Gail of Santa Rosa CA, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Diane’s wish was to be cremated.  Visiting hours are respectfully omitted and there will be a private gathering with family and close friends.  Memorial donations can be made to The Randall Library, 380 Great Road, Stow, MA, 01775 for the purchase of children’s books and reading events or to the charity of your choice.  Another way to honor Diane is to plant something in your garden.