Diane Youden
Date de décès : 23 octobre 2017
With broken hearts we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt Diane Louise Octavie Youden, age 74, on Monday, October 23, 2017 at the Northside General Hospital.
Diane was born in Truro on June 24, 1943, where her dad and mom were stationed (Air Force) during World War II, the daughter of the late George and Marie (Murphy) Benac. She worked as a student in the kitchen of St. Elizabeth Hospital, North Sydney. Diane modeled for a local photographer, and aspired to be a stewardess. That career choice was cut short when she was informed (upon review of her application) she was too “petite” to reach the overhead storage. She went on to graduate from the Nova Scotia Business College in Halifax in 1962, worked ‘away’ in Quebec and came home to North Sydney to work for Salter Agencies and then the Radiology Department at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
She fell in love with a young engineer who worked “in the neighborhood”, modifying the Trans Canada Highway. They were married and had one son Chris, who was her pride and joy. In their younger years Diane and Bill lived in Coxheath where Diane was involved with weekly coffee parties, yoga classes and volunteering as a cub leader.
She was also a proud Grandma and would light up any time her grandchildren were mentioned. Their artwork was proudly displayed on her walls and her oldest grandson was a comfort to her and Bill when she needed assistance with mobility. She was an aunt who would drop by weekly with love and hot cinnamon rolls, a sister who always had an ear (or two), a mother-in-law proud of the family Chris and Kim are raising.
Diane had a deep rooted genetic code for fine things, expensive jewelry, style and sparkle, good food, a hot cup of tea and a belly laugh with family and friends. Diane and her mom were frequent visitors to the old Lobster Pound Restaurant for a “feed”, and loved to go to Munro Park to listen to the music.
She was quick to form a friendship with like-minded people. It was not unheard of for the EMT’s to “drive through” to grab her a coffee when she needed it during transport. In later years she re-connected with an old roommate from college and it was like the years between them had never happened. She adored her adopted cat, ‘Garvette”.
Diane was a member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney.
She will always and forever be remembered and loved.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bill Youden; her son, Chris (Kim Lantz), North Sydney; her four grandchildren, Brandon, Alexis, Kate and Harrison; her two sisters, Eileen (Reg) Cassidy, Hamilton and Michele (Bill) Nicholson, North Sydney; her three brothers, Eugene (Karen Eavis), Paul (Linda Keeping) and Shawn, all of North Sydney; her sister-in-law, Deanie (John) Morykot, Coxheath; brother-in-law, Peter ‘Sonny’ Landry, Arichat, also many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sister-in-law, Margot Landry
Visitation for Diane will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Friday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.
