Diane Arlene Jennings

With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Diane Jennings on November 26, 2018 at the age of 85, surrounded by family at Innisfree House. Born January 15, 1933 to Fred and Macie Durnan of Toronto, Diane’s indomitable spirit always drove her to look at the beauty and joy of life. In her youth, she was bright and athletic. She was an excellent student. In 1951 she started a career in accounting before marrying Rev. Dr. Frank Jennings in 1957. From 1960-1970 she dedicated herself to raising the three greatest loves of her life, her sons, Steven, Michael, and Glen. Diane re-entered the workforce in the field of healthcare, working as a Registered Nurse Assistant. After the passing of her husband, at the age of 48, Diane returned to school and graduated from Conestoga College in 1983 as a Registered Nurse to support and raise her three boys alone. She went on to work at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Fairview Mennonite Home. Diane further shared her compassionate spirit by working as a grief counselor for Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home in Kitchener, before retiring to enjoy life with her second husband Dewi Williams of Cwmavon, Wales, in 1990. Diane has dedicated the last 40 years of her life to Trillium United Church (formerly St. Paul’s) and was a devoted member of the UCW. Diane was also an avid volunteer; her efforts included teaching cooking classes to families through the Brantford Family Services Bureau and dedicating time to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and the Humane Society. Above all else, Diane has dedicated her life to caring for others – her family, her church family, her patients, and her dogs. Diane is predeceased by her first husband Frank, second husband Dewi, and parents Fred and Macie. Left to cherish her memory are her children Steven (Dianne), Michael (Joana), Glen (Marie), grandchildren Hilary, David, Dana, Harrison (Sam), Coulter, Ryder, brother David (Karen), nieces Alison (Angelo) and Catherine (Mark), and her loved family in Wales, stepdaughter Gaynor (Colin), and grandchildren Gemma, and Gareth (great grandchildren Nye, Emy, and Izy). Visitation will be held on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Trillium United Church, located at 450 King St. E in Cambridge, with a service to follow at Trillium on Saturday December 1, 2018 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Diane’s memory to Trillium United Church and Innisfree House. The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Innisfree House for their exceptional care of Diane, and her family, over the past month.