Diann Lynn McDonald

Diann Lynn McDonald (nee Kreitz)

After a long, hard-fought and courageous battle with breast cancer, we lost our beloved wife, mother and grandmother on December 3, 2014.

Left to cherish Diann’s memory is her loving husband and best friend of 38 years, Jim, their children Lyndsay (Mike), Jason (Samantha), treasured granddaughters Ava and Lennox, step-grandchildren Kennedy and Riker, mother Violet, brothers Ken (Carol), Ron (Sharon), Terry (Milli), sister-in-law Heather (Jim), and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her father Dan Kreitz.

Diann was born July 15, 1952 in Altona. She was raised in Emerson. After high school, Diann moved to Winnipeg to attend the University of MB and obtained a BA in Sociology. In October 1976, Diann married the love of her life, Jim. They were blessed with two children, Lyndsay and Jason. Diann took profound joy in her family, and always took an active interest in the children’s many activities including hockey and horseback riding. They spent many of the kids’ childhood years camping all over southern MB.  Diann was a stay-at-home mom until 1989, when she began working for the Federal Government.  In 2003, Diann and Jim retired and moved back to Emerson to enjoy their retirement years.

Diann had a true and passionate love of her family and friends. She always had an open door and food on the table. Diann especially enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters Ava and Lennox. She enjoyed nothing more than a cup of coffee and a visit with family and friends. She had a tremendous sense of humour and loved a good joke. She had an avid interest in the weather, and would often provide weather forecasts to her children and anyone else who might be out driving.  Diann had a deep concern for the welfare of others and always went above and beyond to ensure that those she loved were well. She always had open arms and time to listen.

The family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Woelk and the nursing staff at CancerCare MB at Boundary Trails Health Centre, as well as the nursing staff of the medical unit at BTHC, for their compassionate care.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Diann’s name to the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation (Cancer Care), Box 2000 Stn Main, Winkler, MB, R6W 1H8.  A private family service will be held to honour Diann’s life.

We are so thankful to have known Diann and though we will miss her every day, our lives will be forever blessed to have had this brief time with her.