DIANE ISABEL HOSKINS (SIMPSON)

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DIANE ISABEL HOSKINS
(nee SIMPSON)

Diane was born on April 15, 1935, in Montreal. She passed away peacefully on June 8, 2020, at the Ottawa Hospital, with her two daughters by her side. She was 85 years of age.
The Simpson family moved to Flin Flon in 1942. She considered it her home town. After graduation from business college, in Winnipeg, she moved back to Flin Flon and into a new position at CFAR Radio where she hosted a daily women's radio show. There she met Donat Hamilton Hoskins, of Craven, an on-air colleague. His initial approach at wooing her was to comment, on-air, "There goes the woman with the greatest legs in Manitoba". Not surprisingly, this did not have the desired effect on Diane (or her father) as they listened to his broadcasts in the car. Ultimately, he must have done something right: they married on July 16, 1955.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Philip and Isabel Simpson of Flin Flon and Winnipeg, and her sister Phyllis Russell of Taber. Don passed away in 2012. She is survived by her sister Roberta Simpson of Winnipeg, Robert (Bob) Simpson of Flin Flon, and her children, Christie (nee Hoskins) (Michael Disley), Hunt Hoskins (Micheline Nehme) and Donata (nee Hoskins) (Robert Leuenberger). She was the proud grandmother of Philip and Simon Leuenberger, and the perfect Wai Po to Isabella Disley.
Diane knew before she married that the only job she wanted in the world "was to be a mother". Day one of that job began in 1960 with the arrival of Christie Dawn. In 1964, the workplace grew with Hunt Hamilton, followed in 1968 with Donata Diane.
As soon as we began school, she began her extensive volunteer work. Over the years she was active in too many organizations, and with too many interesting causes, to list them all.
Curiously, while looking back to properly write this notice, it became obvious that she had used her time and talents for many of the same causes that still need our attention today: health care, politics, women, children, families, indigenous issues and social policy have all benefited from her efforts. All she needed to know was, "What is your mandate and how can I help?
It might seem that she retired from her "favourite job" on June 8. Not so. It has been a powerful discovery that we can hear her voice, picture her playing a game while the most amazing aromas filled the house and offering thoughtful insight when we ask, "What Would Mom Do?"
Special thanks to each of the specialized teams at the General campus of the Ottawa Hospital, who provided the most attentive and gentle care to Mom.
A celebration of Diane's amazing life will be held at a later date.
Those wishing to make a memorial donation are encouraged to consider the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, PW112-700 William Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0Z3.

hscf.thankyou4caring.org/donate_HSCF

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 18, 2020