Diane L. Dowd (nee D’Amato) of Waukesha, died on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at the age of 70 years.

Diane was born in Milwaukee on July 28, 1941, a daughter of Nicholas and Lucille D’Amato. On Sept. 1, 1962, she married the love of her life, Peter Dowd. Diane was a longtime member of St. William Catholic Church, Waukesha. She proudly served in the U.S. Navy. Diane was a member of the American Legion Post No. 8 Waukesha, the Women in Military Service for America and the Women’s Memorial Foundation. She enjoyed painting, volunteering and spending time with her family.

Diane will be dearly missed by her husband, Peter; children, Peter (Heidi) Dowd, Teresa (Andy) Lee; Victoria (Charles) England; Patrick Dowd; mother, Lucille D’Amato; grandchildren, Chelsea, Taylor, Charles “Beau”, Jessica, Kaitlyn, Haley, Leiah, and Lilah; and brothers, Daniel (Susan) D’Amato and Neil D’Amato. Diane is further survived by many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her father.

The visitation for Diane will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, from 4 p.m.  until the time of the 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188. The Rev. Curt Frederick will be officiating.

A private family burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. William Catholic Church (see address above) or to Humane Animal Welfare Society, 701 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI 53188 are appreciated.

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family.  For further information, please call 262-542-6609, or for directions, an online obituary or to leave a condolence, visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com.