TOPSHAM — Kathleen “Kathie” Dianne Dieffenbach age 58 of River Road died Wednesday, September 26th at her home surrounded by loved ones after a long illness. She was born in Catskill, NY on January 6, 1954 the daughter of Frank and Janet Tompkins. She attended Windham Ashland Jewett Central School (Windham NY) and graduated from Saint Patrick Catholic School (Catskill, NY) in 1972. Kathie earned a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Southern Maine graduating with honors in 1998. In 2006, she earned her Master’s degree in Integrative Learning for the Arts from Leslie University, NH.

Kathie was an elementary school art teacher at Bowdoin Central School, and has also taught elementary art at West Harpswell School and Williams Cone School. She loved teaching art to children and would frequently hold special art classes on her own time in addition to normal art classroom activity.

Kathie’s love of art is expressed in the many paintings and carvings she has done.

Besides painting, Kathie was an avid sailor having found the love of boating from her parents. When she could no longer sail as a result of her illness, she bought a camper and continued to love the outdoors.

Surviving is her husband Richard Dieffenbach of Topsham, sons Michael Falciano, Richard Dieffenbach, Jacob Dieffenbach, Andrew Dieffenbach and daughter Nicole Baldovi. Her mother Janet Tompkins also survives.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 29th at 10:30AM at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick with the Rev. Sylvia Stocker officiating. A reception will follow the service in the Stetson’s Funeral Home Reception Center.

Donations in Kathie’s memory may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, P.O. Box 129 Brunswick, ME 04011.