Dianne Mary (Abdulla) Kalil

Dianne M. (Abdulla) Kalil of Salisbury passed away at her home on Thursday, August 29  surrounded by her children following a brief and unexpected illness. She was 74 years old.

Dianne was born on December 14, 1949, the eldest child of the late Frederick and Julia (Aberizk) Abdulla. She spent her childhood and teenage years living on Salisbury Beach and working at the family-owned business, Joe’s Playland. Dianne graduated from Newburyport High School in 1967.

After high school, Dianne studied business at the former Bryant-McIntosh Junior College in Lawrence. Her college classes and many years working at Joe’s Playland prepared her for a lifetime of careers, beginning with Dianne’s Ceramics Studio in downtown Lawrence where she spent several years teaching ceramics classes and selling her own artwork. Dianne then ran Tony’s Restaurant at the beach with her sister-in-law, Donna, back when Salisbury Beach was at the height of its popularity. In the early ‘80s, Dianne worked in the membership department at Cedardale Health Club where she made many long-term friendships. Later, she and her sister-in-law started a gift basket business called Basket Jubilee.

Dianne’s proudest career accomplishment was becoming a licensed aesthetician in her 40s. This life changing decision led Dianne to spend 25 years as a distinguished and much loved employee of the former Back Stage Salon in Rowley. Dianne was a beautiful woman who used her lifelong talents to make others feel just as beautiful while creating countless friendships with her co-workers and clients.

Despite her many businesses and jobs, Dianne’s primary focus was always her family. Dianne wasn’t just a mother and grandmother. She was a caring, loving and supportive friend to each of her children and grandchildren. When family disagreements arose as they inevitably do, Dianne – with her many years of crafting experience – was the glue gun that kept them all together. And she was equally loving and caring to her many friends who will miss her very deeply.

Dianne is survived by her daughters, Christina Sullivan and her partner Scott Harriman of Haverhill, and Sherry Turnage and her husband Bryan of Salisbury; her son, Matthew Kalil and his wife Amanda of Newburyport; her brothers, Frederick Abdulla and his wife Donna, and Daniel Abdulla and his partner, Mark Moquin, all of Salisbury. Dianne was the proud and doting grandmother of Hayley and Jack Sullivan, Alexa and Julia Savvas, and Lily and Ava Kalil and loving aunt to several nieces and nephews.

Dianne also leaves behind her dear aunt, Lorice Brown of Salem, NH; her uncle, David Aberizk and his wife Debra of San Diego, CA; her cousins, Kathy Alexander of Windham, NH, and Dr. William Aberizk of Mystic, CT; and many other cousins.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Twomey LeBlanc & Conte Funeral Home, 193 High Street, Newburyport. (Only on-street parking is available.) A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Star of the Sea Chapel, 140 North End Boulevard, Salisbury Beach. Burial will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dianne’s memory to a cancer charity of your choosing.

For directions or offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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