DIANE LYNN MCANDREW (RAPP) -

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DIANE LYNN MCANDREW (nee RAPP) 1954 - 2006 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Diane McAndrew on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at the Boundary Trails Health Centre, with her family and friends, Janice and Colleen by her side. Diane is survived by her loving husband Dave and beloved teenage daughters, Heather and Erin. She is also survived by her parents, Egon and Alice Rapp of Calgary; and her sister and best friend Donna (Craig) Buchanan of Calgary; as well as sister-in-laws, Edith Rowand, Kola, MB, Donna (Howard) Thorne, Brandon, MB, Doris (Delwin) Shand, La Pas, MB and Brenda (partner Arcie) McAndrew, Wheatland, MB; and brother-in-law Gordon (Loraine) McAndrew, Vegreville, AB. Diane will be remembered by her 14 nieces and nephews especially, Corey (Courtney) and Jordan Buchanan of Calgary, AB. Diane is also survived by her aunts, Dr. Edna (Bill) Rapp, Vera Richardson and Bertha Unrau and uncle Ottomar (Carol) Rapp and many cousins. Diane had a very special relationship with four international students who became part of our family (Paulina {Mexico}, Dario {Brazil} and Akiko {Japan} and her Mexican daughter Sofia Lara, (Zacatecas, Mexico) and Sofia's family who visited us for Christmas in Morden and Diane and family visited their home in Zacatecas. Diane was predeceased by her father-in-law Les McAndrew and brother-in-law Jim Rowand. Diane was a daughter, sister, wife, mother and very importantly a teacher. Diane started teaching in 1976 in Parkland County, Alberta; first at Brookwood Elementary School in Spruce Grove, then moving to Blueberry Community School, near Stony Plain until she married Dave on July 4, 1987. She substituted at schools in Vegreville, AB until they relocated to Morden, Manitoba in 1994. Diane continued doing some substitute teaching and became the full-time teacher at a nursery school until 1998. In 1999 Diane was recruited to develop a new child development centre at the Morden Adult Education Centre, working with children and their parents who were continuing their education. In 2000 Diane returned to teaching; first for a year in Grade 1 at Minnewasta School then a year in Grade 6 at Ecole Morden Middle School, both in Morden. In 2002 Diane started teaching at Winkler Elementary School and continued until her untimely passing. Diane had the ability to connect with her students, their parents and staff. Her complete dedication to her profession resulted in many long hours of work. Her pains-taking effort to find the perfect word or phrase for every comment she made to students and parents to get the most positive constructive assessment of students was a source of pride and much work. In the weeks before her passing she decided that she most wanted to encourage students from Morden Collegiate Institute to take up the profession of teaching by creating a university scholarship. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 18, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's United Church, 353 Thornhill St., Morden. Interment will follow at Chapel Cemetery, Morden. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Morden Area Foundation, 311 North Railway St., Morden, MB R6M 1S9 for the Diane McAndrew Education Scholarship. The family wishes to thank all of Diane's doctors who helped her battle with different cancers over the last few years particularly Drs. Bob Menzies, C. Woelk and Ralph Wong with bile duct cancer; Dr. Yip with colon cancer and Drs. Leslie and Kurr with thyroid cancer. They all tried their best to treat her with dignity and respect. A very special thank you to the Cancer Care staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre (Cheryl, Deb, Linda and many more) for your care and respect will always be remembered. Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden In care of arrangements, www.wiebefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 17, 2006