Obituary for Diane J. Moreau (Hemmings)
MOREAU, DIANE J. N. [1945 - 2021]
Diane Jeannine Neilson Moreau (Hemmings) passed away peacefully on February 3, 2021, aged 75 years. Diane was born on September 2, 1945 in Montreal, the daughter of J.H.J. Guy Moreau [1901-1966] and D.L. Winnifred Neilson [1909-1969]; she received her R.N. in 1966, her B.N. in 1970 and her M.Sc. N. in 1975 at McGill University. She was the first psychiatric nurse to publish her research with her colleague doctors at medical conventions around the world; and she was a psychiatric nursing consultant with several medical institutions and on the teaching staff at various universities in three countries. With this experience Diane moved to more academic aspirations leading to an M.Sc. at Wichita State University in 1996 and a Ph.D. in communications and rhetoric at University of Cardiff, Wales in 2006. In later years Diane taught at Brock University in three faculties.
Diane is survived by David, her husband of 48 years, her son James and his wife Anne, their children Asher and Morgan in Winnetka, Illinois, her daughter Katherine in Austin, Texas, and her brother Guy in Pointe Claire, Quebec.
As the family migrated from her base in Canada, Diane lived and worked in all four corners and middle of the USA; in the beautiful surroundings of Worcester, the Cotswolds, South Wales and Canary Wharf in Britain; and finally telling the family in 2008: “I’m now going to live in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Where are you going?” She visited diverse foreign parts around the globe, by destination cruises, conference attendance and train trips. She used her French and Spanish to get by in many places. And her deep academic passion for political rhetoric made her a news junky. Much of this came from her doctoral studies, her time in Washington DC as a Capitol Hill lobbyist and a docent at the Library of Congress, and delivery of linguistics course material to her university students. In her retirement years Diane chaired both the highly successful Niagara-on-the-Lake Community in Bloom Committee, and the Horticultural Society during a reorganization. She enjoyed participating in a Current Affairs group, a “knitting” group and a book club. Diane’s volunteer ethic was exemplary; her well-tempered style of engagement and her intelligent recommendations for preferred objectives were well received.
Forever troubled by the early loss of her parents, Diane became a friend to many along the way and in Niagara-on the-Lake. Her sensible approaches, her insightful suggestions and her incisive decision-making will be missed. She clung to life with determination and courage to the end, continuing to keep up her social calendar with friends. Exceptional care by Drs Conen, Phillips, Ishkanian and Hasany, as well as nurse practitioner McKelvey, at the Walker Cancer Centre, and by St Elizabeth nurse Perry will always be remembered by our family.
A private burial has already taken place at the Niagara Lakeshore Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Diane’s life at some later date. Donations in her name would be gratefully received by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, of which she was Life Member. Arrangements in the care of Morgan Funeral Home, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com
Diane Jeannine Neilson Moreau (Hemmings) passed away peacefully on February 3, 2021, aged 75 years. Diane was born on September 2, 1945 in Montreal, the daughter of J.H.J. Guy Moreau [1901-1966] and D.L. Winnifred Neilson [1909-1969]; she received her R.N. in 1966, her B.N. in 1970 and her M.Sc. N. in 1975 at McGill University. She was the first psychiatric nurse to publish her research with her colleague doctors at medical conventions around the world; and she was a psychiatric nursing consultant with several medical institutions and on the teaching staff at various universities in three countries. With this experience Diane moved to more academic aspirations leading to an M.Sc. at Wichita State University in 1996 and a Ph.D. in communications and rhetoric at University of Cardiff, Wales in 2006. In later years Diane taught at Brock University in three faculties.
Diane is survived by David, her husband of 48 years, her son James and his wife Anne, their children Asher and Morgan in Winnetka, Illinois, her daughter Katherine in Austin, Texas, and her brother Guy in Pointe Claire, Quebec.
As the family migrated from her base in Canada, Diane lived and worked in all four corners and middle of the USA; in the beautiful surroundings of Worcester, the Cotswolds, South Wales and Canary Wharf in Britain; and finally telling the family in 2008: “I’m now going to live in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Where are you going?” She visited diverse foreign parts around the globe, by destination cruises, conference attendance and train trips. She used her French and Spanish to get by in many places. And her deep academic passion for political rhetoric made her a news junky. Much of this came from her doctoral studies, her time in Washington DC as a Capitol Hill lobbyist and a docent at the Library of Congress, and delivery of linguistics course material to her university students. In her retirement years Diane chaired both the highly successful Niagara-on-the-Lake Community in Bloom Committee, and the Horticultural Society during a reorganization. She enjoyed participating in a Current Affairs group, a “knitting” group and a book club. Diane’s volunteer ethic was exemplary; her well-tempered style of engagement and her intelligent recommendations for preferred objectives were well received.
Forever troubled by the early loss of her parents, Diane became a friend to many along the way and in Niagara-on the-Lake. Her sensible approaches, her insightful suggestions and her incisive decision-making will be missed. She clung to life with determination and courage to the end, continuing to keep up her social calendar with friends. Exceptional care by Drs Conen, Phillips, Ishkanian and Hasany, as well as nurse practitioner McKelvey, at the Walker Cancer Centre, and by St Elizabeth nurse Perry will always be remembered by our family.
A private burial has already taken place at the Niagara Lakeshore Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Diane’s life at some later date. Donations in her name would be gratefully received by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, of which she was Life Member. Arrangements in the care of Morgan Funeral Home, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com