It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Wife, and Dede (to her grandkids), Diane Nielsen McAneny, 72, of Kennedyville, MD passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025 surrounded by family after a two-year battle with cancer.

Diane was born on July 14, 1952 to Victor and Helen Nielsen of Cranford, NJ. Diane moved to Delaware in 1969 after her father relocated for work. Diane attended college, pursuing fashion design. After having her daughters, Hollie and Lindsey, Diane had a 15-year career at MBNA in Newark, Delaware where she worked in the wire room and held various other management level positions. Working at MBNA brought Diane much pride and there she made many lifelong friendships she deeply cherished. Diane retired in 2015 and went on to volunteer her time at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center of Chestertown.

Diane met her devoted husband, Patrick McAneny, in 1985 and married in 2012. Together they shared an over 40-year relationship filled with countless memories and adventures together. Thanks to her husband's passion for sailing, she fell in Iove with sailing as well. Together they sailed the Chesapeake Bay several times and all its rivers covering thousands of miles. They also went on to sail several seasons in the British Virgin Islands on a sailboat they kept there. Later they sailed their present boat, Shenanigans from the Sassafras River where she and her husband live to the Eastern Caribbean exploring all the islands between the Spanish Virgin Islands down to Grenada, staying for as long as six months during two winters.

Diane's last passage was to the Bahamas for the winter just before she learned of her serious health issues. Diane absolutely loved snorkeling and did at every opportunity as well as hiking and exploring the islands. She was the best first mate to Patrick and was so proud of all they did together.

Diane treasured the community of Kentmore Park and the friendships and family she had there. She lived for the events of the summer and having her grandkids and daughters at her house so they could enjoy them too. At night, she loved to gather at the pier with friends and family to watch the beautiful sunsets over the river.

Of all the things she loved the most, being a mom and grandmom was at the top of the list. Hollie and Lindsey were Diane's best friends, and she was so proud to call them hers. Once her daughters became moms, she took on a new name, 'Dede', to four grandchildren whom she loved immensely. Just being together and enjoying each moment is what Diane lived for. She loved her family deeply.

Diane had the most positive attitude as well as an ease about her that allowed her to connect with anyone she met. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Diane is survived by her loving husband Patrick McAneny; two daughters Hollie Corcory (Matthew) of Marmora, NJ and Lindsey Chaiken (Andrew) of Havertown, PA; four grandchildren Finley and Tatum Corcory and Alyssa and Anthony Chaiken; three brothers Victor, John and James Nielsen and many loving nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on July 18, 2025 at Shrewsbury Parish Church, Kennedyville MD at 10 am. Burial in adjoining cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in her memory to the National Brain Tumor Society CERN Foundation via the link below or sending a check to:

National Brain Tumor Society
55 Chapel St. Suite 006
Newton, MA 02458
Donation Form - National Brain Tumor Society

We love you, we miss you, and we will carry your love with us always.