Diane Pilbin, 79, of Andover, passed away on June 16, 2021. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, she was the eldest child of Virginia B. Jones and Robert M. Jones of Simsbury, Connecticut and Vero Beach, Florida.

Diane was predeceased by sister Nancy Jones Hill and brother Alan Ross Jones. She is survived by sisters Deborah Jones of Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Kimberly Crandall of Milo, Maine; stepdaughter Susan Page and husband David Page; stepson Robert Pilbin, as well as several nieces and nephews. She leaves behind her husband of 45 years, Leslie “Red” Pilbin.

Diane and Red shared a love of the country, farming, and their animals, loving their life at Johnnycake Ranch in Burlington, Connecticut. It was there that Diane established her passion for Labrador Retrievers and her Chucklebrook line, breeding and showing them throughout the United States for over 50 years. In 1998, Diane was licensed by the AKC to judge Labradors and other sporting breeds, judging nationally and internationally. This offered her the opportunity to explore other countries and to make good friends around the world.

Diane lived the life she’d dreamed of with nothing left on her “bucket list”. A good, kind husband with mutual interests, her Labrador friends whom she considered her second family, and the beauty of her country farm in Andover, New Hampshire were the loves of her life. In her last years, Diane lived with Multiple Myeloma and she wishes to thank Dr. Charles Catcher and the staff at Payson Cancer Center in Concord for their compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Payson Cancer Center, Concord, New Hampshire, or your local Humane Society. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire has been entrusted with arrangements. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence or for more information please visit csnh.com.