Diane L. (Lorentzen) (Witley) Chagnon, 87, of Salem, NH, a former longtime resident of Atkinson, NH, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Salemhaven Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Salem, NH, surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born in Cambridge, MA, to the late Gordon and Dorothy (Nichols) Lorentzen, and was raised in Atkinson, NH. Diane was a graduate of Timberlane Regional High School, Class of 1957. She was employed for many years at Lucent Technologies in North Andover, MA. Diane later followed her passion and opened Flowers by Diane in Amesbury, MA. She owned and operated the business for many years until moving to Atkinson, NH. Diane loved spending time at the Green Tree farm in Atkinson, NH, which was the family’s business where she continued using her talents making Christmas decorations. People enjoyed stopping by the farm to visit and to have her make them wreaths, bows and holiday creations. With her white hair she was lovingly referred to as Mrs. Clause.

Diane will be sadly missed but forever loved by her two sons, David Witley of East Hampstead, NH, and Gary Witley and his wife, Maureen of Atkinson, NH, adoring daughter, Lynn Boursier of Hampstead, NH, her grandchildren, Colton Boursier and Austin Witley and his wife Erin.

She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Richard E. Chagnon and her siblings Stephen Lorentzen and Janet Hammes.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to calling hours on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12pm – 2pm, at the Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, NH. A funeral service will follow at 2:15 pm in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 11am in Atkinson Cemetery, 1 Academy Avenue, Atkinson, New Hampshire.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Diane’s memory to the New Hampshire SPCA Stratham, PO Box 196, 104 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham, NH 03885, or by visiting NHSPCA | New Hampshire SPCA