Diane Patricia McLeod was born December 31, 1947 in Fort Frances Ontario. She was the third child of seven born to Nicolas and Nellie Liekam. Diane and Robert moved their family (while pregnant with their fourth child) from Ontario to British Columbia in 1973. They resided in Langley until 1978 and then moved to Mission, BC until 1984 when Diane separated from her husband and made the bold move with her three daughters to Fort St. John. Patty her eldest, later joined the family in 1986. Diane moved to Fort St. John with very few possessions, she worked for catering companies as a cook and cook’s helper. She enjoyed working in camp but missed her family very much and once she managed to save enough money to purchase a home she quit and took up employment at various retail outlets in town. Diane embraced the community of Fort St. John and it became her permanent home.
In 1993 Diane met Monte Henderson and remained together until Monte’s death in 2002. Diane’s family was her legacy, she cherished her family and the many memories they shared together. Diane had a special relationship with all her family members, each as unique as the person themselves. She had a way of recognizing what each person needed and was able to fill that need. Diane loved music, she would sing and dance at every opportunity, she taught everyone of her children, how to polka and two step. She instilled morals and values in her children that made them the women they are today.
Diane was a happy person, she forever had a smile a friendly gesture for all she knew. She was an optimist, never let much get her down and would help a friend. But even as a foe she would feed you a sandwich if you were starving but she would also promptly send you on your way. She was a forgiving person and would gladly give to anyone who needed a hand. Prior to moving to Fort St. John volunteered at the Soup Kitchen and Meals on Wheels. She involved her children in her community service, and encouraged them to give to others.
Diane loved to work and having worked in the public sector most of her life she had the opportunity to meet a lot of people. Her most recent position was for Walmart . Diane was proud of her work which began in 2004 when the store first opened. She loved the people she worked with and the customers she served.
Diane had diabetes, she spent the last five years dealing with her illness and without giving up nor backing down, she eventually succumbed to her illness on May 4, 2012 in the Fort St. John Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. Diane Patricia McLeod was a loving mother, grandmother, friend and co-worker and she will be greatly missed, our world is a better place because of her.