Dianne Joan Scoles

February 18, 1941—Dec 9, 2020 A wonderful wife to Ted, a magnificent mother to our six children: Ernie (Doreen) of Saskatoon, Donna Jean (d. 1983), John (Megan and grand-daughter Frances), Patricia (Anesh d. 2020), James and Steven – all of Winnipeg. Dianne was a person of many talents: a counsellor and teacher with special-needs children, a physiotherapist, business owner/manager, a tailor and bookkeeper, real estate sales person, art history professor at the University of Manitoba, and an accomplished artist, whose paintings and drawings have been exhibited and sold across the prairies. She was a published genealogist, researcher and writer, a local activist for many, many years, and a crafter and gardener extraordinaire. She practiced Reiki for many years as well, and was certified a Reiki Master in 2019. Her energy has reached many, many people around the world, and it always will. Dianne wove living experiences into positive threads in the fabric of her life. After graduation from The Pas Collegiate with the Governor General’s Medal, she entered the University of Toronto to study physiotherapy. Her practicums included six months working in hospitals in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Graduating from physiotherapy at the University of Manitoba, she practiced at the Clearwater Lake Hospital in Northern Manitoba. She returned to school later in life, graduating with the gold medal (Art History) from the University of Manitoba in 1993. She went on to study in Victoria, while commuting from Pender Island, and achieved her Master of Arts in 1995 (with honours) from the University of Victoria (Art History). She went on to teach at the U of M (School of Art) when she returned to Winnipeg from B.C. in 2002, and achieved yet another B.A. in 2007 from the U of M. She was a life-long lover of books, reading and learning. Dianne and Ted married in June of 1963, and lived in many wonderful places: enjoying many beautiful summers at Clearwater Lake and the beauty of the north in The Pas, and Thompson – twice for a total of 13 years, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for two incredible years (with family), and Winnipeg, Morden and beautiful Pender Island, B.C. for eight wonderful years, eventually moving back to Winnipeg in 2001. Dianne touched the lives of many students on many levels, and for seven years she taught Art History and her favourite subject—Celtic Art—at the U of M. Her teaching was highly-rated (4.9/5), and her students described her teaching as “superb,” “unreal,” “amazing,” and “awesome” and that “she was a wonderful professor” whose “lectures were the equivalent of fresh-baked banana bread.” Mom was also extremely supportive of all of her children’s education and career choices, and her life-long dream was to see all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren complete their formal education. Dianne made travel a big part of her life, and our lives. Our first major trip was to the mountains in 1963, where she learned to drive. The next trip was to New York City and a Caribbean cruise in 1966. Then to the U.K and Ireland in 1975 (the first of many, many more trips to the U.K and Ireland). With Ted’s job taking the family to Saudi Arabia, we had many great holidays with all of our family: Thailand, Cyprus, Egypt, Kenya, the Seychelles, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Singapore. A three day Safari in the Masai-Mara game preserve in Kenya, with the family, was a spectacular experience. Dianne enjoyed many trips to Ireland with Ted and various family members, and many trips to Spain with Ted and various family members. Her deep love of Ireland – the spirit of the Irish people against all odds, especially - will be cast in stone. One of her favourite Irish sayings: It is what it is. Her greatest joy was to take her granddaughter, Frances, on a trip to Ireland last year. Megan and John and Frances and Grandmother stayed in a castle and spent three weeks traveling the country by car. She was born in The Pas to Frank and Margaret, and is survived by her sister Donna Nabess (Don d. 2016) and brother Jim (Shannon). She leaves behind five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren, several dear nieces and nephews and she kept in touch with every one of them over the years, making sure each and every birthday was accounted for. Also brothers-in-law Jack Scoles (Joyce d. 2019 ) Vancouver; and Joe (Margaret d. 2018) of Ottawa, and many, many dear and long-time friends. She asked that all who knew her as a friend or family member, remember her in their prayers, as she did daily for so many. Dianne’s was a life very well lived. We know no one kinder, smarter, and more caring, and no one with a better attitude to all of life’s possibilities and challenges, than our incredible Mom. May your beautiful Spirit continue to guide us for the rest of our earthly lives. And may we feel your Spirit soaring, and gifting, at new heights. The angels lifted Mom gently a little too early from us, but not before Mom graced and gifted us with lives filled with a million big hugs, love, light, and amazing memories. Slainte (cheers), Mom! Mom, Dianne: may your spirit guide you forward every step of the way, and may your spirit continue to guide and nurture us, your loving and caring family. A special thanks to the staff at Cancer Care MB, and the staff at Riverview Hospice. A private celebration of Dianne’s life will take place after Covid 19 subsides. Donations to a charity of your choice can be made in lieu of flowers.