Diana Rosemarie Neal

It is with great sadness that our family advises that Diana Rosemarie Neal (nee Backman) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 23rd, 2022. Diana was born in 1939 and grew up in Marpole, Vancouver and attended King Edward High School. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband James Neal, brother Doug Manuel (Patricia) and parents Lydia and Gunnar Backman.

After high school, Diana met the love of her life (her words!) James Edward Neal and they were married in June, 1958. They began their life together on a grand adventure – moving first to Tahsis and then Gold River on Vancouver Island. They saw these moves as an opportunity to build a better life for their family as Dad progressed his career in the Forestry Industry with the East Asiatic Company and Canadian Pacific Forest Products. They met so many lifelong friends during the early years of their marriage in these small towns in BC – many of whom Mom still kept in touch with.

After their adventure on Vancouver Island, Diana and Jim settled into South Vancouver and raised three children – Janice (Neil), Cheryl (Ian) and Jim. When they arrived back in Vancouver, Mom was on a mission to find just the right home to raise their family – and there it was nestled beside the beautiful Fraserview Golf Course on Elliott Street. Shortly after moving to Elliot Street, Mom and Dad met their dear friends Jack/Arlene and Wendy/Bruce. So many memories were made around the dinner tables on Elliott Street or travelling together in Canada and abroad or weekend visits to Mayne Island. During the last couple of years when in-person visits were not always possible, Mom and Arlene had almost daily “5pm check ins” where they talked on the phone, enjoyed a glass of wine, reminisced, and talked about their children, grandchildren and life in general.

While raising her family, Diana decided to re-enter the workforce and she worked for the Vancouver School Board for many years. She met an amazing group of teachers and psychologists at the Weir School T&E. We still remember the day when Mom came home and announced that her colleagues had advised that the children needed to start making their own lunches – there was no debate! Mom treasured her friendships with the T&E Team and always looked forward to the annual Christmas Dinner at Umberto’s Giardino Restaurant with “the two Julies” or visits to the Sunshine Coast to visit Maureen and many other parties with the entire group.

Diana and Jim were very loving and involved grandparents – some of us actually moved back into the family home with their own children … and we were greeted with love and open arms. In retrospect – moving back home later in our lives was truly a gift. Precious time with our amazing parents and an opportunity for them to enjoy their grandchildren every day. From this began Granny and Grampa Thursday where their first Granddaughters Madison and Rachel were dropped off at Elliott Street every Thursday morning for a fun filled day with Granny and Grandpa while the parents dashed off to work. This tradition of “Granny Thursday” continued in slightly different forms for 25 years … what an amazing opportunity for all of us to spend family time together.

After Dad passed away in 2000, Mom moved to an apartment in Burnaby and quickly made friends with the neighbors – Gus and Fran who were so kind and supportive. Without a big house to maintain, Diana doubled down on her time with her six granddaughters – continuing weekly visits for dinner with Janice’s family (Rachel, Brittany and Breanne) and Cheryl’s family (Madison and Caitlin) and regular visits to Calgary to visit Jim and Lacey. In between, Mom maintained a healthy social schedule with her lifelong friends and added to that weekly golf games at Mylora Golf Club with old and new friends in the spring, summer and fall and bridge with the Elliott Street ladies in the winter. Mom never wanted to miss a party and she instilled that love of life in her children and granddaughters – carpe diem!

How will we go on without our Mom’s strong, loving and kind presence … of course one day at a time and we will hold close and cherish all the memories we shared. We love you Mom!!

At Mom’s request, we will not be holding a funeral service. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity or consider the Foodbank in your area as there is such need these days.

Janice, Cheryl and Jim.