A life built with love, steady hands, and a mother’s heart.
Diane Irene Morley was born on September 28, 1955, in Ste. Anne, Manitoba. She grew up surrounded by a big family and carried a deep love for her brothers and sisters throughout her life. She was a cabinetmaker by trade; a true craftsperson who loved working with her hands. She took real pride in what she made, and her home is full of proof: the furniture she built, the cabinets she shaped, and the practical beauty she left behind in wood, measure, and finish.
She loved nature and had a soft spot for animals of all kinds. The world outside mattered to her — the quiet, the living things, the simple peace of nature. She also loved gardening, and she had a true green thumb. Her plants and the gardens around the house were always immaculate and coming over to see them, smelling her yard was always such a treat.
But above everything else, Diane was a mother. That was her truest role, and she never stopped doing that role, not for a day, and not even at the very end.
She was also a grandmother to three grandchildren; two boys and one girl who she loved deeply and proudly.
This notebook is here to hold the pieces of Diane’s story: the memories, the moments, the things she built, and the things she taught by example.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Diane’s memorial page using the comment field below.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Diane Reid “Nanny” on June 18, surrounded by the love of her family.
Diane leaves the legacy of 3 generations. Sons Daryl (Sheila), Don (Monique), and Jeff (Terezija). Grandchildren Melanie (Logan), Jaileah (Dave), Josh (Cassandra), Kevin, Courtney (Branden), Krista, Corey, Amber, Westley (Pooja), Brenden (Sara), Tim, and Whitney (Craig). Great grandchildren Lily, Tristen (Sequoia), Dawson (Julia), Addison, Bradyn, Teagan, Kingston, Xavier and Maeva, Elsie and Marshall.
Diane was predeceased by a brother in infancy, infant grandson Jordan, son in law Julien Marion, brother Don Lambert, sister Ruth Sicotte, husband Norman, special friend Hubert Jette, sister Carol B. Jones, and daughter Patrice (Marion) Burgess.
Diane was born on September 4, 1930 in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. When she was ten years old the family made the move to Transcona. Along with her favourite sister Carol, many memories were made spending time ice skating and camping at St. Malo with their cousins when they were children.
As a teenager, Diane found a job at Eaton’s colouring photographs. She mastered that, and soon took a job working in the dark room printing photos.
A few years later, she met Norman, and they were married in 1949. With the arrival of oldest son, Daryl, Diane’s purpose became raising their family and building their life together in Transcona.
With a young family, Norm and Diane decided to build what would become the cherished family ‘camp’ at Ottermere, Ontario. Many years of happy memories were made there with countless blueberry pies, beach days, and pancake breakfasts cooked on the woodstove.
Diane was an excellent baker, cook, entertainer, and housekeeper. We will treasure the years of special family dinners she spared no detail in preparing. She also gave special attention to her hair and makeup both of which were always perfect, with the weekly Wednesday hair appointment being a ritual for decades.
The relationship between Diane and her sister Carol was a very special one. She was like a second Mother and Grandmother to our family. They were inseparable and even had matching wardrobes!
Some of us were lucky to have inherited Diane’s wry sense of humour and her no-nonsense kind of determination. It was this way of thinking that got her through life’s toughest challenges- Including losing Norm, our beloved Dad/Bopi and her sister Carol; beating breast cancer in 2021; and most recently the passing of her daughter, Patrice.
Thank you to the special ladies at Devonshire House for the friendships Diane enjoyed with you over the past 8 years. She was very much looking forward to getting back to bingo and cards, and loved showing off her winnings to all of us.
Respecting Diane’s wishes there will be no formal service, instead a private ceremony will be held at the Transcona Cemetery.
Those who wish to make a donation in Diane’s memory may choose a charity close to your heart. Diane supported animal welfare, cancer and lung research.
Nanny, your love will live on always, and we will carry you in our hearts forever.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Diane’s memorial page using the comment field below.
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Diane Margaret McMillan (nee Upritchard) on October 8th at the age of 89. Diane is survived by her husband of 68 years, David; several nieces and nephews and many close friends.
Diane was born June 3rd, 1934 at the Winnipeg General Hospital and grew up in Pointe du Bois, Manitoba. She spoke of happy childhood memories in “Pointe” and contributed information to those documenting the history of the town in recent years.
After their marriage in 1955, David’s career with Manitoba Hydro took them from Pointe du Bois to Winnipeg to Thompson and then to Gillam. Pre-retirement, they bought a home in Pinawa where they spent many years enjoying their hobbies and making life long friends. When it became necessary to downsize, they moved to an apartment in Lac du Bonnet and later to Selkirk.
Diane was well known for her athleticism and love of sports. She was a skilled competitor on the fastball diamond (ladies and mixed), curling rink, bowling lanes and golf course, often finishing events in the prize circle. She took her game very seriously but also enjoyed the camaraderie and social aspect of competition. In later years, she became an avid follower of elite curling teams and rarely missed watching curling events aired on TV.
Spending time on her computer was a favorite pastime. Diane enjoyed communicating with friends/exchanging jokes on email and playing games. She was a member of Facebook, Instagram and once belonged to an online card playing group where she became friends with other players from places as far away as Australia, even meeting some of them in person. She visited websites to keep informed about current affairs and other interests.
Diane and David travelled to many destinations over the years but none more often than Sydney, a municipality of Victoria B.C. They always rented a suite overlooking the ocean and enjoyed sitting or walking along the waterfront.
As per Diane’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Diane’s memorial page by using the comment field below.
Diane Hockin, beloved wife of Robert Hockin of Neepawa MB, entered into rest under the care of Brandon Regional Health Center April 11th, 2023, with her family by her side.
Diane was born in Ste Rose du Lac in 1951, the first of seven children to Alban and Dorothy Guillas. Diane attended school in Neepawa and was looked up to by her siblings and a great help to her parents both at home and in her father’s business ventures. Diane married Robert Hockin in 1970 and their son Mark was born soon after with daughter Joanna following in 1982.
Diane had great artistic talent and worked as a floral designer for many years and later in retail sales which suited her love of fashion and clothing. She had a keen eye for style and amazing taste in many things which was reflected in her beautiful home, yard and closet (or many closets as Bob would argue). Diane loved music and watching all kinds of sports on TV, especially the Jets and curling. She was most happy when the grandkids would walk through the door and always made sure to have their favorite candy or popsicles on hand.
Enjoying time out on her deck, checking, and watering her beautiful plants and flowers, having coffee with her siblings, reading, and working on crossword puzzles brought her great joy. Although it was evident to all that she was not feeling at her best, Mum never complained and always tried to attend the grandkids activities and was extremely proud of all of their achievements.
Diane was predeceased by her parents Alban and Dorothy Guillas, father and mother-in-law Elmer and Vera Hockin. She will be dearly missed by her husband Bob, son Mark and daughter Joanna (Kelly), grand children Hayden, Camryn, and Avery; siblings Velda, Valerie, Danny (Kathleen), Yves (Sylvia), Jackie, and Chris (Chrissy).
Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff at both the Neepawa and Brandon Regional Health Centers for their kind, compassionate care. Anyone wishing to attend Diane’s graveside service on Tuesday, April 18th at 11am at the Riverside Cemetery are welcome to do so. A lunch will follow at the Neepawa Legion Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to contribute to a charity of your choice in Diane’s memory.
Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences on Diane’s memorial page using the comment field below.
