DIANE GERHARD

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DIANE GERHARD (Hazel) Diane Gerhard, passed away suddenly on April 11, 2017 at The Cottage, her most favourite place. She was born in London, Ontario on April 2, 1943. Growing up in Delhi, Ontario she attended Delhi Gothic School where she skipped a grade to graduate in 1960 as valedictorian. She attended McMaster University, completing a bachelor's degree in Biology (1964) and a Master of Science in Molecular Biology (1966). Diane married Arthur Gerhard on June 4, 1966. They lived in Burlington where she taught high school. In 1968, they moved to Winnipeg when Arthur joined the faculty at the University of Manitoba. She taught math and science at Vincent Massey then took a break from teaching to raise the family. She returned to teaching at Villa Rosa where she would have a lasting impact on many young mothers. She retired from teaching in 1999. Diane was a dedicated volunteer. She served on countless committees across the United Church including as Chair of the Board at Westminster United Church; she was "Rainbow" in Beavers when her boys were young; Cruising Director of Northern Yacht Club; and a volunteer with the Arthritis Society, the Canadian Arthritis Network, Patient Partners and many other groups. In her early 30s, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and it ravaged her body. In 2007, she developed lung involvement which further limited her abilities but none of this ever stopped her. She was a tenacious force of positivity, an extraordinary purveyor of plans, a lover of life. She will be profoundly missed by her husband, Arthur and her sons, Adam and David; and her daughters-in-law, Kristine and Tricia; grandchildren, Sophia, Jacob, Matthew and Rachel; sisters, Jan (Roy) and Chris (Alan); nephews, and nieces and their families: Andrew, Rachel, Rex and Graham; Christopher, Shannon, Liam and Ava; Jonathan and Sam; Kevin and Liz; Shirley and Jennifer; Aunts Doreen and Audrey and their families; and countless family and friends from here to England. A service of celebration will be held at Westminster United Church at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, with a reception to follow. Visitation at Thompson "In the Park" on Monday, April 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Interment will take place in Delhi, Ontario at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthritis Society.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 17, 2017