Diane Elizabeth Morrison
1952-2020
Diane Elizabeth (Allwood) Morrison
passed peacefully, at home in Fredericton with her immediate
family by her side, on Saturday, April 18, 2020, in her
68th year, after a courageous 15-year battle
with cancer (sarcoma).
She is survived by Gary, her husband of 45 years, her
children, Kate, (Tony Goss), Jon (Nadia Mahboob), her granddaughter
Zoe Goss, so precious to Dee Dee and Bo, her mother Mary (Winslow)
Allwood all of Fredericton, her aunt Elizabeth (Winslow) Silva of
Medical Lake, Washington, her sister-in-law Penny Prince (Andy) of
Miramichi, her nieces, Janet Prince (Louis Laprise) of Montreal and
Andrea Lau (Duncan) of Calgary. She was predeceased by her
father William (Bill) Allwood in 2008 (born in
Scotland).
Di was born in St. John, NB and grew up spending her summers
at her family cottage at Maquapit Lake. She had a natural talent for
swimming and was a fish in the water. She graduated from Moncton High
at the age of 16 and attended UNB in Fredericton graduating with a BBA
(’73). After returning from travels in Europe she made the
decision not to pursue a Master’s degree in hospital
administration in Toronto. It was Fredericton’s and my good
fortune that she took a position with the old VPH in town,
moving on to play a pivotal role in the opening and development of the
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. It was there, that her talent
and personality shone. It was there, that she became so loved,
respected, and appreciated. It was from there, that this quote was
penned in a card from a dear colleague and friend: « once in a
very long time someone comes along who has a profound impact on your
life. You were that person for me and for so many others. ». Di
retired in 2008 due to her illness. Over the years, Diane served on
many Boards with the last two being the Fredericton Playhouse and, one
close to her heart, Greater Fredericton Social Innovation
(GFSI).
Diane spent many summers at our family cottage in Burnt
Church, NB where she quickly became greatly respected and loved by the
locals she met and by the many cottagers with roots in BC who
are spread across the continent. She was a truly gifted and
intelligent woman. She was a hobby painter and lover of the arts. She
had a knack for gourmet cooking and would host fabulous dinner parties
and ….… Boris and the lovely Muffin could cut a
rug, big time! We loved to travel (she was the navigator and planner
extraordinaire) and we travelled and cruised the world, dancing
wherever we could along the way. She was caring, kind, beautiful both
inside and out, and so very strong and courageous. A dear friend and
mentor for many and for people that knew her, she was on most
of their « favourite persons list ». And although she was an
only child, she had several wonderful friends who were thought of as
« sisters ». She was a thoughtful and compassionate person
that put everyone’s needs above her own. She was not one to
complain and always kept a positive mindset. She was loved by many and
leaves a huge hole in the lives of her family, friends and the entire
community.
The family would like to thank her family doctor, Dr. Ann
Collins and oncologist, Dr. Margot Burnell (St. John) for their care
over the many years, as well as the doctors and nurses of the
palliative-care Extra-Mural program, especially Tanya in Fredericton
and, of course, those who have assisted over the years at the good ole
DECH.
Due to these strange times that we find ourselves in, there
will not be any service or visitation at this time. A
celebration of life will be held in Fredericton at a time and place to
be determined later, and as well, for family and friends, in Burnt
Church this summer. Diane was passionate about her community, the
arts, and for those less fortunate. So, for those that wish, donations
may be made in her memory to the charity of your choice, through the
Fredericton Community Foundation (www.fredfdn.ca).
www.mcadamsfh.com
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19522020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Diane Elizabeth Morrison 19522020..
Décès pour la Ville: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick