A Life Well and Truly Lived ~
The family of Dianne Louise Falconer (nee: Cline) is very saddened to confirm, though she would say "no moping, get on with it", that on July 25, 2022 after a mercifully short but trying time in the hospital, we lost our 5'3 1/8" giant to the heavens... but gained a life of beautiful memories. Like thousands before us, our hearts and thanks go out unreservedly to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Cowichan District Hospital who provided great care and comfort to make these last weeks for Dianne as hopeful and pain free as possible.
Born and raised in Duncan and living her whole life in the CVRD, Dianne was a lady of grace, courage, much sass and great fun. Though she lived with MS for some 28 years Dianne was no victim. Even with her fleet of scooters she walked every day and looked after family and friends near and far by staying in touch and hosting the family's annual Christmas social with turkey buns and many deserts.
Dianne is predeceased by her parents and brother Dennis and survived by her husband Bill; brothers: Gord, Gary and Bob; son Keith (Andrea); step-children: Julie, Jerry, Tammy (Rob), Vickie (Randy) and Dawn; her grand-kids: Kayla, Jaeden, Derek, Martina, Devon, Mandyn, Austin; and finally her great grandchildren: Ella and Torin.
But Dianne also had a more boisterous family she also loved, and who loved her back. Her precious golden retrievers: Chase, Chance and the newest Charlie, "her girls"; with her previous golden retrievers Bailey, Shaymis and Shylo, who also lived great lives, having made way for the 3 C's noted above. Dianne could be seen daily walking her 3 "girls" in a one-mile loop around her Baldy Mountain neighbourhood riding her "Highway-Off-Road" scooter with waves and cheery hello's from every neighbour that happened to see her.
But there is more, there is also her magnificent fishpond, which she worked on daily with feeding and many maintenance duties, and which itself was surrounded by her spectacular 1 acre Butchart Gardens like "Dianne Gardens" home; both of which were labors of love and kept Dianne busy, outside and active.
But there is even more! Back to Bill. Dianne always looked out for, and after, the love of her life; her happily and purposely ornery, cantankerous, and lovable Irish husband whom she met in 1989 and married soon after. Together they built great businesses in the construction and then flooring trades, and more importantly built a great home, family, with future generations who learned much from Dianne and Bill. Bill, and family, will carry on her legacy by taking care of her beautiful fishpond, "the Girls", and her version of Sidney's Butchart Gardens.
Our giant Dianne also had a real-life 6'8" giant in her next-door neighbour, "lil-Bob", and his wife Heather. Lil-Bob and Heather became great and supportive friends of Dianne and Bill, and we know that our giant really appreciated them for always being there.
So, we can plainly see, Dianne left a great legacy of life, from a life well and truly lived.
Our 5'3 and 1/8" lil-giant will be sorely missed but fondly remembered as she soars through the heavens looking out and over us. It had been said that "you never really die until you are forgotten", and so with that, Dianne will continue to live through all of us.
Until we meet again. Love Bill and Family. XO
No flowers please, but should you wish, please consider making any donations in Dianne's name to either the MS Society of BC, or the SPCA of your choice which was a favored charity.
Sands of Duncan