Diana Ruth Patten of Middleboro, formerly of Waltham, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, after an aggressive, fast-moving cancer. She had also lived for many years with Alzheimer’s dementia with Lewy body. Diana faced both with strength and style, determined to make the most of her remaining time—and to look good doing it.

Diana was born on September 22, 1942, in Waltham, Massachusetts, to Corliss John and Mary (Murphy) Patten. Her father was a clocksmith, first with the Waltham Watch Companyand later with Howard Clock. Her mother was a seamstress by trade and the steady strength of the family. Diana graduated from Waltham High School in 1960 and soon traveled to Italy for the first time, beginning a lifelong love of Italy and its culture. In 1965, she gave birth to her only child, Joseph “Joe”Patten, and continued to make her home in Waltham.

Diana was a lifelong public servant and advocate. While raising Joe as a single mother, she attended Middlesex Community College and later took night classes at Boston University, where she earned a degree in social work. She spent 27 years with the City of Newton, Massachusetts, as a social worker specializing in elder affairs. After retiring in 2007, she moved to Carver to be closer to Joe and her grandchildren. Still eager to help others, she continued her work as an advocate with South Shore Housing in Kingston, Massachusetts, and later served the public through the Town of Wareham before retiring for good in 2022.

Diana is survived by her son, Joseph Patten, and his wife, Cassandra Patten, of Middleboro; her sister, Eileen Oliver, and her husband, James Oliver, of Rockport; her grandsons, Sean Patten and Aidan Patten; and her great-grandchildren, Julia Cornwall and Aurora Patten. Diana is predeceased by sister Judith Lynch

A celebration of life is being planned for September 2026.