Diane Gail Hickman

Diane Gail Hickman (nee Thompson), age 82, of Toronto, Ontario, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 23rd, 2024, following a long fought battle with MDS cancer. She was predeceased by her loving husband Robert (Bob) Hickman, her parents; Frank and Evelyn, Grace and Arthur; her Brother-in-law Darryl; Sister-in-laws Marion, with whom she lived with for many years, and Eileen; and her dearly beloved niece Eden; and nephews Jamie and Neal.

She is survived by her son Doug Hickman; daughter Catherine Foti; and son-in-law Angelo Foti. She will be sadly missed by her adoring grandchildren, Matthew, Michael and Anthony; her brother Roger (Monica); her sister-in-law Lina Hickman; her nieces and nephews Jessica (Gints); Stephanie (Paul); Sarah (Derek); Andy (Michelle); and her many grand nieces and nephews. She leaves behind many cherished family and friends.

Diane will be truly missed by the communities she moved within and the people that knew her. She was truly loved for her kindness, happiness and her giving nature. From all the friends and neighbours she made in the community of Guildwood, where she and her husband Bob raised their family, to her last residence in the Guildwood Chartwell Retirement community, to her beloved parish at the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity. Everywhere she went she was greeted and treated with the love and caring she showed to everyone. This affection was shown all over, whether being upon entering her hairstylist shop on a Saturday morning and being greeted with a hearty ‘Diane’s here’, or picking up her grandchildren from school, she was always greeted to a resounding cheer from not just her grandchildren but from all their friends and their teachers as well - often hearing chants of Grandma Diane echoed through the school yard.

She lived a life full of purpose and strived to leave the world a better place than she found it. She achieved this through random acts of kindness, helping friends and family, donating to causes she believed in and getting her hands dirty when she knew she could make a difference. She was a dedicated member of her parish, where she gave with her heart both time and treasure while not seeking anything in return. She was a long-time volunteer, participating in the church bazaar, services and volunteering her time and support to those in need. Beyond her commitment to the church, she would often go out of her way to assist friends when they needed a drive to a doctors appointment or some other destination; certainly living up to the ‘Elder Uber’ title our family jokingly gave her for her extra driving duties.

Diane was very committed to her family, by continuing to be a loving mother to her children and an amazing grandmother to her three grandchildren. She loved spending time with the boys, especially during summer trips to Port Elgin. During these trips, the boys would often fight over who gets to sleepover, by themselves, in grandmas room. It meant watching the sunset on the porch while eating nachos and salsa, getting to watch your favourite movie before bed and then being treated to a special one-on-one breakfast at the local diner by the beach.

Diane lived a wonderful, happy and selfless life with her family and friends. She approached everyday with the goal of making it better than the last and wanted to make the world a better place. While our hearts are in pain that she is no longer with us in flesh we are strengthened by knowing the impact she left on this world will live on and that we will always remember her in our hearts, minds and with the stories we share as we move forward.

Memorial donations may be made in Diane’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society.