DIANA ANNE RICHARDSON

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DIANA ANNE RICHARDSON

January 14, 1932 - August 13, 2024

On August 13, at the age of 92, our Mum, Diana Anne Richardson, passed away. She is survived by her four children, Cheryl (Bill), John (Denise), Dawn (Dan), and James (Robyn); 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, in whom she took great joy.

Diana was born in Winnipeg and grew up in Elmwood on Martin Avenue with her parents, George and Evelyn Crabtree and brother George Henry. After completing school, where she was well known for her shyness, she worked at Royal Bank.

When Cheryl was born, Mum took great pride in becoming a new mother. She loved to hang diapers on the clothesline so everyone in the neighbourhood knew she was a mother. She was put to the test by the arrival of unexpected twins, John and Dawn, 17 months later. The arrival of James three years later completed the family.

She became a single mother in 1969. When she asked her parents for advice, her mother’s answer was simple: “Dry your tears and get a comfortable pair of shoes, because now you’re a working girl.” And work she did. For 27 years, she made brides look spectacular as the owner of Diane’s Wedding Gowns in the North End, a business her mother had started. She later added two more bridal stores, Bridals by Judith and Michelle Jordan’s. She was committed to providing excellent customer service, even going as far as having a gown delivered by snowmobile during the November 1986 snowstorm, because the show must go on.

In spite of the demands of her work, she was a dedicated and attentive mother. She took her four children on many summer vacations, mostly to Canadian destinations from coast to coast. On Mondays, housekeeper Katie would help to keep things in order, making legendary lunches (all the kids’ friends hoped for an invitation).

When the children were young, many summer weekends were spent at Betula Lake in the trailer at the end of the beach. The Harpers, who owned the resort and ran the general store, became long time family friends. Then in 1974, Mum purchased an empty lot at Lake of the Woods. She loved the lake and took joy in knowing this would become a place for the family to get together. It started out with tenting, and eventually evolved into a family cottage built by John and James, with “help” from Uncle Stan.

After her retirement in 1995, she chose to close the doors at Diane’s and moved to the farm near St. Adolphe with John and family. She was in her glory with the horses, lambs, and her beloved chickens. She loved to ride horses. At the age of 70, alongside her daughter Dawn, she competed in (and completed!) a 50 mile endurance ride on her Missouri Fox Trotter, Charlie.

After moving back to Winnipeg in 2012, she lived independently in her own home until January of 2024. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. She tended her gardens, fed the birds, and was an avid composter and recycler. She was often seen on her scooter (aptly named Scoot), visiting and doing errands.

In January 2024, she moved to Sturgeon Creek I Retirement Residence and was quick to make an impression. One of her favourite activities of late was “helping” her son James babysit great-grandson Miles on Thursdays.

Mum loved to read and never stopped learning. She loved everything about life and had an incredible zest for living. She was quick to say yes to any new experience. She had a passion for travel and was willing to go anywhere with anyone, anytime. She also loved the arts, regularly attending the opera and ballet with Cheryl. She was a skilled stained-glass artist who generously shared her creations. She had several treasured, lifelong friends about whom she cared deeply: Joan, Judy, Myrtle, Ollie, Young Sook, and Uncle Stan.

One of Mum’s goals was to avoid living in a long-term care facility. Goal accomplished. She passed away peacefully on a sunny afternoon at Riverview Health Centre, surrounded by love, after a brief illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., on September 18, 2024, at Breezy Bend Country Club, 7620 Roblin Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Simple Cremation & Life Celebrations

204-421-5501

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 24, 2024, Aug 24, 2024