Diana Cherry

Diana passed away peacefully at the Hospice Waterloo Region, Cook Family Residence, in her 84th year with her devoted family around her. She died from ventriculitis, a complication of a brain abscess likely dating from early November 2024; both are rare conditions.

Diana is survived in Canada by Winston, her husband of more than 50 years, their three children Jill, James (Melissa) and Suzanne (Peter) and two grandchildren Sam and Leanne, and in Australia by her older sister Helen (Laurence) Derrick and the members of her family. Diana was predeceased by her parents and the older of her sisters, Maree (William) Smith.

Diana was born in New South Wales, Australia as the third daughter of Alan and Virginie. She attended a number of primary and secondary schools in NSW as her family moved for her father's employment with the Australian Mutual Provident Society. Diana completed her secondary schooling at the Hermitage in Geelong and Merton Hall Girls' Grammar School in Melbourne. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education from the University of Melbourne and, later, a Master of Education from the University of Windsor.

Diana taught for two years in Melbourne secondary schools in the mid-1960s. She and Winston met at St. John's Anglican Church, East Malvern, in late 1964; they married and then later left Australia in mid-August, 1966, travelling by ship (the Fairsea) to Naples and then through Europe to Cambridge, England. They left the U.K. in 1968, for Canada where Winston had obtained a position at the fledgling University of Waterloo. Diana and Winston lived in an apartment on Spadina Road, Kitchener, for about 16 months, then in Westcourt Place, Waterloo, for about four years, then later moved to a family home.

In 1976, Diana resumed her teaching career with some supply teaching and then half-time positions at the Cambridge Christian School on Myers Road for four years, at the Kitchener-Waterloo Bilingual School for 25 years, and for three years at the Grand Valley Institute for Women. For much of her time in Canada, Diana contributed to her community with volunteer work, including at the KW Volunteer Bureau founded by Peggy Stayt, and clubs like the Canadian Federation of University Women: KW Branch (of which she was a member for 52 years) and, more recently, Women's Probus Clubs; in such organizations, Diana contributed to their betterment by taking on often-onerous administrative positions. Diana's participation was a key factor in establishing endowments to reward academic excellence in Statistics at the University of Waterloo and to support indigenous students at Wilfrid Laurier University and specific disadvantaged student groups at Renison University College.

Starting as early as 1996, Diana obtained great satisfaction and enjoyment from organizing and then taking part in travel, as a couple both before children and after they had left home, and as a family of five. Particular highlights from a long list include Italy, Greece and Scandinavia in 1967, family camping trips to the Maritimes, Florida and the Rockies, and tours of Alaska (including the Arctic Ocean at Deadhorse) and the Yukon, Newfoundland and Turkey. Diana and Winston were also fortunate to be able, on two tours, to take their adult children to experience some of their favourite U.K. and European places. Another travel highlight for Diana was her 25 or so trips to Australia over a period of more than 50 years; as well as enabling extensive travel with Winston within Australia, Diana used these trips to maintain strong relationships with many extended family members and a loyal group of childhood friends.

Diana and Winston attended St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Kitchener, during their early years in Canada, followed by the Church of the Holy Saviour in Waterloo for more than 50 years. Diana contributed to many aspects of church membership.

Diana’s wide range of practical accomplishments was augmented by a high degree of social engagement. Her empathy and her caring nature will be greatly missed among the large and diverse group of her friends.

Diana’s family wishes to record their gratitude for the dedication and professionalism of the numerous medical staff and other caregivers at the Grand River Hospital and Hamilton General Hospital, who worked so tirelessly with Diana to try to achieve a successful outcome in a succession of demanding situations. The care and dedication of the staff and volunteers at the Cook Family Residence (Waterloo Hospice) were also exemplary.

Diana’s family members are happy to regard as expressions of sympathy the care and support they have already received from so many friends and family members, in so many ways over the difficult weeks since she was first hospitalized.

Diana’s wish to be cremated has been met. In view of difficulties arising from the time of year, a private family funeral has been held.

Diana’s family will receive relatives and friends at Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, 1001 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener, (519-743-8900) on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., where a celebration of her remarkable life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.