DELOYE, Diane

In loving memory of Diane (Hanes) DeLoye, who passed away on the 11th of July, 2020, on her 68th birthday, after a long battle with cancer. “Mah!”, as she was lovingly referred to by her kids, leaves behind a legacy of caring and quiet stoicism, where she always put others’ welfare and happiness ahead of her own.

Born to Allan and Pyrrha Hanes in Huntsville, Ontario, she graduated from Canadore College in North Bay. It was while travelling by train to Canadore, that she met some weirdo that asked her what she was doing the next week, and if she wanted to get married. That creep was Dad (Dave DeLoye). They fell in love with each other, and would eventually be married in 1974.

Her children, Dave Jr (Wanda), and Genevieve. Along her journey, she became Mah to anyone who needed one, and Richard Glenn (Emilie), and David Whitlock joined the family. Her artistic nature and creativeness were gifts that resulted in winning many a homemade halloween costume competition, as well as praise and admiration from all. Mah was the glue that held our lives together, supporting her husband in his career in broadcasting, and ghostwriting many of his opinion columns for local newspapers. She seldom took credit in any of our family’s achievements, settling for watching their happiness as her reward. This extended to her grandkids Allen (Erin), Zachary (Sophie), and Juliette (Bradley), and to so many other people. Mah didn’t judge. A loyal friend, she helped and supported everyone, as she genuinely wanted “her people” to be happy in life. We should all learn from her example. She especially enjoyed her friendships with Shirley Bailey and Norma Beck, among many others.

One cannot talk about Mah and not discuss food. Mah loved to cook and experiment in the kitchen. She would often make big meals for friends and family gatherings, and took joy in anyone who asked for seconds (or thirds, or…). Her homemade bread was always first to sell out at the annual school fundraiser, and although she would give up her recipe, no one could ever seem to replicate her “handful of this, and a pinch of that”.

Mah LOVED animals. As kids, we always seemed to have some kind of furry friend around, and later in life, she cared deeply for her two Newfoundland Terriers, Seamus and Ross. There are so many memories to cherish. She will never be forgotten.

There are so many people to thank for the excellent care she received these last few years, but a special thanks to the chemotherapy nurses at the Cancer Centre, and all of the staff at the McCullough Hospice for making things more bearable. In lieu of flowers, and at Mah’s request, donations to the 2912 Sudbury Army Cadets or the McCullough Hospice would be greatly appreciated. At her request, there will only be a short family internment. A gathering of friends and family will be announced at a later date.

For donations or messages of condolence, www.lougheed.org

Arrangements entrusted to the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home.