GUNSON, Diana

Twin war babies were born on the 17th of March 1943; Diana, the eldest of the twins, and Dave her brother. Growing up, Diana spent her formative years in Lancaster, England attending Skerton Girls Secondary School and was an accomplished swimmer representing the City of Lancaster. Her first job was as a comptometrist in 1960. Diana first met Bill on a double date – however Bill was her best friend’s date. It wasn’t until months later, at one of the local dances, when Dave came up to Bill to inform him that his sister Diana would like him to ask her to dance. It was that moment that set the stage for Diana and Bill’s incredible, loving and adventurous 60 years of life together. They were married on the 30th of March 1964; just after Diana’s 21st birthday. Within months of the wedding Bill was posted with the RAF to Hong Kong where Diana and Bill spent 3 amazing years. Diana worked at the hotel reservation centre at the Hong Kong airport as the manageress which brought about such an amazing way of life for them. Upon their return to England in 1967, plans for a family began. Now living in Chester England two sons were born, Michael (Feb 1970) and Steven (Feb 1973). The family underwent a major change in 1974 when they immigrated to Canada. Bill and Diana settled in the small town of Alliston to raise their kids. Diana initially stayed home to raise her sons and took a job at Baxter Travenol once the boys were attending school full time. Diana progressed through various positions, earning Employee of the Year in Quality Control, and had great pride in her role at Baxter for the 25 years she dedicated herself there. Many family memories were made over the years camping, and traveling. She was a dedicated hockey mom, and soccer mom. She simply loved soaking up the sunshine on vacations to the Bahamas, and Florida. Aside from Bill, her sons, and her 7 grandchildren, her gardens and flowers at home were her ultimate pride and joy. In 2001, Diana chose to retire from Baxter, and she and Bill moved to Barrie to be closer to her two sons and grandchildren. For the next 7 years Diana worked at the Alia Tanjay store in the Georgian Mall, where she got to know all the regulars and treated them just like family. Upon finally deciding to fully retire in 2013, Diana and Bill moved once more to a beautiful condo with a balcony overlooking Kempenfelt Bay. Here she continued to enjoy her flowers, glasses of wine, sunsets with Bill and her beloved grandchildren all gathering for perfect viewings of holiday fireworks. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Diana may be made to Lupus Canada and would be greatly appreciated by the family.