Diane Marie Duench

Beloved mother of John (Kristine) and proud grandmother to Zak (Chloe), Hayden (Kailey) and Janson, Diane will also be missed by her precious sisters-in-law Wilma Ewald and Martha Duench, many loving nieces and nephews, life-long friends Janet Gies and Valerie Cooper, and devoted friend & “angel” Kathy McCulloch. Diane loved to the very last her daughters, Jeannette (Kevin) Barendregt and Jennifer (Doug) Jonas, and grandsons, Easton and Riley Barendregt. She is also predeceased by her parents, Jack & Florence Ewald, her brother Dennis Ewald and brother-in-law Arnold Duench.

Born December 28, 1944, in Kitchener, many of Diane’s fondest memories were spent with her Aunt Elsie or at one of her parents’ numerous restaurants in Kitchener and Cambridge, including Preston’s Park Grill.

From a young bride of 18, Diane unequivocally championed Jim’s dreams whether quitting his job in 1975 to start James Duench Woodworking or purchasing his dream car, a 1986 Corvette. Diane retired in 1991 from her arduous work at Lear Siegler, where she hot welded car seats on the night shift. Until 2012, she was a meticulous bookkeeper for Duench Contractors, the secret ingredient to their success.

In July 2020, Jim had a life-altering fall. Returning home from hospital in December 2020, Diane selflessly dedicated three years as his full-time caretaker and advocate. She was his everything.

Diane was a passionate documenter of family and local history with more than 100 photo albums created and well annotated, some of which we invite you to enjoy at a special Celebration of the Lives of Jim & Diane Duench, to be held on Wednesday, February 26 at Cambridge Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 147 Elgin St. N., Cambridge. Visitation from 1 pm to 3 pm. Service at 3 pm with food and fellowship to follow. As per Diane’s wishes, cremation is taking place.

Donations in memoriam may be made to Urban Hope, providing hot meals and support to those in need, c/o Cambridge Vineyard Christian Fellowship.