VICCI DIACHUN

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VICCI DIACHUN

(aka CECILY HEATHER DIACHUN)

It is with great sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of Vicci Diachun, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the age of 95 years. She is survived by her son Steven Benstead; her nieces, Nadine McLean (Tim), Simone Mazerolle (Bernard), Alison Ross, Hilary Garnett, Heather Northcotte (Guy), Lynne Edwards; her nephews, Derrick Baker (Mary), Graham Atkinson (Carol), Richard Atkinson (Sue); and other members of her extended family. Vicci was predeceased by her first husband Robert (Bobby) Benstead, her second husband Taras Diachun, her parents, and her six brothers and sisters.

If there is anything that defined Vicci’s life, it was music. Growing up during the 1940s in northern England, the teenage Vicci went to all the dances she could. It was the era of the big bands, and her passion for dancing eventually led to meeting her first husband, Bobby Benstead, one of England’s premier trumpet players. They married in 1950 and she made her home in London with Bob where a year later Steven was born. After moving to Winnipeg in 1958, tragedy struck when Bob unexpectedly passed away two years later. Previously a stay-at-home mum, Vicci soon found her way into the jewellery business where she worked at Peoples Jewellers and then Al’s Jewellers until she retired. Being outgoing, cheerful, and always ready with a smile, it was the perfect career for her.

But her life was not all work and no play. Unleashed into the world of the Swinging Sixties, Vicci, along with her best friend of over 60 years, Aline, made the city swing at such nightspots as the Town ’n Country and the Club Morocco, plus the Sunday night dances as HMCS Chippawa. As the 1970s dawned, Vicci embarked on the next phase of her life when she met her second husband, Taras, with whom she lived a long and happy life until Taras passed in 2020.

Always fashion conscious, Vicci continued to love shopping for clothes and getting her hair done every week until the last few months of her life. And until the end she never lost her love for music, often singing her favourite songs accompanied by whoever was around.

Friends and family are invited to meet at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. to join the procession to Glen Eden Cemetery, 4477 Main Street for a graveside service. A Celebration of Life will also be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Donations in memory of Vicci may be made to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2026