Obituary of Diana Stevenson GEMMEL (nee Armstrong)

Diana Gemmel, our loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend passed away peacefully in Calgary on February 12, 2021 at the age of 97.

Diana was born in Winnipeg on October 4, 1923 to Canadian/Irish parents Ed and Diana, and with brothers Jim and Pat, raised on the family farm near the S.E. Saskatchewan prairie town of Oxbow amongst herds of aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends.

Mom travelled by family horse, named “Old Dan”, to attend grade school in Oxbow. After completion of schooling, Diana moved to Winnipeg and trained as a Registered Nurse at the Winnipeg General Hospital, graduating in 1949. Mom worked at the WGH, and after moving to Calgary in 1952, the Calgary Children’s Hospital.

In 1952, Diana married the love of her life, our father, John Gemmel, originally of Selkirk/Winnipeg. In 1956, they moved to North Vancouver where with daughter Elizabeth, son John and pampered family pets, they lived until 1969 when we moved back to Calgary. She and Dad enjoyed the adventures of life together as true partners and best friends.

Diana loved the outdoors. As an adult, she spent hours tending to her beautiful garden on Moorgate Place and hiking with Dad and friends in the splendid Calgary and Kananaskis area countryside. She so enjoyed the birds that flocked to feed in her garden and the wild critters they came across from the many trails they wandered. Together, she and Dad enjoyed travels widely throughout beautiful Alberta, within Canada and throughout other parts of the world.

Diana was humbly and quietly sharp as a whip.  She was gentle, with amazing strength of character.  She was kind, caring and respectful of all others. She was an avid reader of Canadian literature, and was always current with world issues and local events. Mom was proud of her Western Canadian roots and of Canada’s many accomplishments and contributions to the world. Diana was an active member and friend at Riverview United/ Living Spirit United Church. She loved attending church services and joining in the singing of hymns in her somewhat off-key joyful way. Diana also enjoyed her association with the WGH nursing alumnae, playing bridge with friends and curling at the Glencoe. Mom provided a helping hand to the Interfaith/Calgary Food Bank, pastoral care at the Holy Cross Hospital and a volunteer canvasser of many worthy causes.

Diana loved her family deeply, and was especially proud of her grandson Sean, her nieces, nephews and their families and so very thankful for her friendship with Kim Platt and the Zelenka family.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank Society, 5000 – 11 Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5, Telephone: (403) 253-2059, www.calgaryfoodbank.com.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Diana’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Diana Gemmel, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.