Obituary of Dianne Bernice Lloyd (nee Begg)

November 11, 1949 – Calgary, Alberta
August 18, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Dianne Bernice Lloyd, beloved wife, mother and grandmother extraordinaire passed away on August 18, 2021, surrounded by family after a short battle with cancer at the age of 71 years.

Dianne is survived by her husband Norman Lloyd of 52 years, her daughters Shannon Lloyd (John Tucker), Karen Lloyd (Jerry Schindel), brother Douglas Begg (Debra) and her four grandchildren: Sophia, Shaye, Zane and Kate, all of Calgary, Alberta. 

Born on November 11, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Sheldon and Hazel Begg (nee Cassady) and was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. After graduating from Ernest Manning High School, she married her high school sweetheart Norman Lloyd in 1969, who after fifty-two years of marriage still refers to Dianne as “the love of his life”. They moved first to Coronation, then Fort McMurray where they had two daughters: Shannon (born 1972) and Karen (born 1973). After moving to Whitehorse and Yellowknife for a time, Dianne and Norman settled in Wetaskiwin to raise their family, then eventually returned to Calgary in 1986 to be closer to their own parents.

Dianne’s daughters grew up to become her very best friends. When asked if she grew tired of being asked advice from her grown children, Dianne’s reply was how lucky she was to not only be a mother but a true friend to her grown daughters. She was known for her warm checkered hazel eyes and genuine demeanor, offering her opinion freely with practical advice, and always supportive of her children and grandchildren. She felt solace at the end knowing that she raised her daughters to also be best friends so they would have each other when she was gone.

Dianne was exceptionally close to her grandchildren: Sophia and Shaye Tucker, to whom she was known as “Momma” because she was like a second mother living just a few blocks away, and also to Zane and Kate Schindel, to whom she was “Grandma” in every perfect way. Every grandchild inherited at least one of her passions: gardening, reading, sewing, math, baking, pottery, traveling, yoga, Pilates, hiking, Zumba, and birdwatching, including LBJ’s (Little Brown Jobies). Her grandkids will fondly remember her backyard waterparks, grilled cheese lunchtimes, presence at school events, personalized snack bowls and the joy that she got from watching them grow up and love each other. Dianne also adored several cats and other fur babies who will be waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge.

Dianne retired from accounting at the youthful age of fifty and had over twenty years of retired freedom packed with traveling - enjoying more than fifty vacations to various parts of Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica and Canada. One of her greatest joys was traveling to all inclusive vacation destinations with her group of ten – herself, husband Norman, daughters, sons-in-law and grandkids. She also loved hiking the trails and mountains nearby in Kananaskis with a special fondness for Troll Falls. When faced with the sudden onset of terminal cancer, Dianne’s biggest sadness was not having more time to travel and make more family memories but she hoped that her family would continue those travels together in the future. Wherever we go, wherever we are, you will always be with us.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dianne’s name to Rosedale Hospice where Dianne spent her last week surrounded by love and kindness. 

A celebration of Dianne’s wonderful life will be held at a later date. 

In living memory of Dianne Lloyd, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by Chapel of the Bells, McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes.