Diana Breckon

Diana-May Breckon (nee Empson)

Diana Breckon passed away peacefully at the Emerson Personal Care Home on December 15th, 2025.

Diana was born on August 16, 1941. She grew up on a farm in the Marais near Letellier, helping her large family with daily chores and learning the many skills that would later make her an exceptional farmer’s wife. She attended school in Letellier and moved to Winnipeg as a teenager. At the age of 20, she married the love of her life, local Marais boy Gordie Breckon, and together they settled on a farm in the Marais, where they raised three children—along with many, many animals.

Throughout her life, Diana worked in roles that allowed her to care for others. She spent many years as a part-time hairdresser at the Emerson Care Home, ran a home daycare for numerous local children, and later worked as an educational assistant at Emerson School. No matter the job, her priority was always her family and the farm.

Diana was an exceptional cook and baker, and her beautiful, bountiful gardens were admired by many. She was also a devoted volunteer, giving her time and talents to countless committees, clubs, and community events. Whether a pie was needed, a skating coach, or a last-minute costume sewn, Diana was always there to help. Even in her final years, she continued to volunteer at the care home—tending the garden, serving coffee, and singing to the residents.

She was a proud and active member of numerous organizations, including the Royal Purple, the Marais Community Ladies Club, the United Church, the Emerson Curling Club, the South Gate Haven Board, the New Horizons Board, the Emerson Complex Committee, the Emerson Figure Skating Club, and the Emerson Care Home Auxiliary.

As dedicated as she was to her community, Diana’s greatest passion was always her family. Her favorite hobby was babysitting her grandchildren or making trips to see her sons' families in Sifton and Ile Des Chenes. She is survived by her children Patrick (Sherry), Shawn (Brenda), and Heather (Barry); her grandchildren Tansy, Jazmine, Dalton, Auston, Alexis, Shelby, and Oscar; and her great-grandchildren Paige, Nathan, and Bentley. She is also survived by two siblings, Ronnie and Kelvin. She was predeceased by her husband Gordie, her parents Kelvin and Lillian, siblings JoAnn, James, Richard, Douglas and Wally.

In her final years, Diana lived with Parkinsons disease and dementia. She lived her last year and a half in the Emerson Care Home where she once volunteered and worked. Here, she enjoyed singing, visiting, bingo, the beautiful garden and going for walks in her community.

She touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

Viewing will be held at Wiebe Funeral Home Altona on Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Emerson Complex.

Ash interment will take place at the Emerson Cemetery at a later date.

Donations in memory of Diana may be made to Parkinson Canada.