Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Diana Joan Richmond (Nordal) at the age of 76 on Saturday August 6th, 2022 at Brandon General Hospital with family by her side.
Diana leaves to mourn her passing her husband of 53 years Darwin, daughter Krista (Darin), son Regan, the lights of her life, her grandchildren Brady (Paige) and Tara Lee (Dylan), sister Lenore (Bruce) Berry, brother Barry (Debbie) Nordal, brother-in-law Ernie Born, her much loved nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends near and far. She was predeceased by her parents John and Dorothy Nordal, brother Leonard, sister Carole and her in-laws Gordon and Elinor Richmond.
Diana was born November 8, 1945 at the Holland Nursing home. Little did she know that she would eventually marry the boy in the nursery a few beds over, born just 5 days earlier!
Diana grew up on a farm in the Bru district and attended Bru School. Music was an important part of her life. She and her sisters sang at many community functions and at church; always accompanied by their mom, Dorothy on the piano. She attended Cypress River high school and after graduation worked at the local grocery store and Credit Union before moving to Winnipeg to work at Great West Life.
In 1968 she and Darwin were married and they lived in Cypress River until moving to the farm north of town in 1972. In 1972 they welcomed their daughter Krista and their son Regan followed in 1976. Together Darwin and Diana operated a grain farm and also ran their anhydrous ammonia business – Crescent Soil Service. Diana looked after everything on the office side of things; ordering, billing, and bookwork while still making meals for everyone and doing all of the other farm wife and Mom duties that she loved. Diana and Darwin made many friends through their Simplot fertilizer days and they so enjoyed their tours and trips with those friends.
Diana spent many hours cheering on Darwin’s baseball and hockey teams and enjoyed many fun times with friends. As the kids grew, she spent many hours at the rink watching figure skating and hockey, at the gym watching volleyball, the ball diamonds watching baseball, as well as attending music recitals and festivals. Diana loved to bake and often took baking to friends in need.
Diana and Darwin loved to travel and they took many family vacations all over Canada and the United States. She and Darwin also travelled to many destinations such as Portugal, Spain, Australia, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Florida, California, and embarked on a few cruises as well.
Diana’s grandchildren were very special to her and she spent many hours with them. Babysitting, reading, taking them on trips, watching their sports and musical performances. In later years she loved hearing about their work lives and was so proud of them and loved the partners they chose.
Diana had many medical issues – although she never once complained about anything or showed anyone the pain she was in. In 1996 Diana was diagnosed with Scleroderma and she fought quite a battle for many years. She had breast cancer in 2013 and in 2016 she was diagnosed with Lymphoma. This went into remission until the fall of 2021 and since that time she was the most selfless and brave Wife, Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, and friend.
A Celebration of Diana’s life will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm in the Cypress River United Church with Sharon Hamilton officiating. A Private Family Interment will take place in the Glencoe Cemetery.
Big thanks to the medical staff in Glenboro – special mention to her favorite nurse practitioner Brittany Vrooman, the doctors and nurses in Carberry hospital, Dr, Peschkin – Scleroderma specialist at Health Science Centre, and Dr. Pam Skrabek – Cancer Care Manitoba.
Friends that so desire, memorial donations can be made in Diana’s memory to the Scleroderma Manitoba 16 Carlington Crescent, Oak Bluff, MB R4G 0C5 or visit their website at sclerodermamanitoba.com, or to the Cypress River and Area Foundation Cypress River, MB R0K 0P0
“Don’t cry because its over, smile because it happened”
Dr. Seuss
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Diana Joan Nordal Richmond November 8 1945 August 6 2022 (age 76)..
Death notice for the town of: Holland, Province: Manitoba