Obituary of Sarah (Beth) Elizabeth Diamond

September 28, 1954 – Blairmore, Alberta

November 22, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

With both the sadness of loss and deep gratitude for a life well lived, we share the news of Beth Diamond’s passing. After a difficult period of illness, Beth died on Monday, November 22, 2021, at the age of 67 years.

Born in Blairmore, AB to Carol and Rene Diamond – an active community volunteer and mining engineer, respectively – Beth was the eldest of four sisters: Anne Howe (Dan), Mary Martin (Rob) and Claire Doane (Doug). With the family’s move to Calgary, Beth began forging the enduring friendships that were a hallmark of her life.

Beth’s studied at McMaster University and the University of Calgary, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. Her love of literature and language prevailed throughout her life; she delighted in the power of a well-turned phrase, and she often surprised clients with a perfect quote from the Brontës, Leonard Cohen or Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Upon graduation, Beth was determined to walk an unconventional path. Along that path, she met and married Matthew Bardsley, a US Air Force veteran from New England who worked for CP Rail in Calgary. Together, they raised three sons: Joseph (Kenneth) in Vancouver, Matthew (Martin) and Andrew (Mechaela), both in Calgary. Beth and Matthew were married for thirty years, until his death in 2010 after a battle with ALS. They raised their boys in a close circle of family with grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins all living within blocks of each other. In a life filled with accolades, awards and accomplishments, her three sons were Beth’s proudest achievements. 

To be a friend of Beth’s was to have a friend for life. She treasured her friendships and kept in contact throughout the shifting phases and places of life. She was especially grateful for Judi Gunter, her former business partner with whom she co-founded the Diamond-Gunter Group in the late 1980s. Judi and Beth shared each other’s personal and professional joys and sorrows for more than three decades.

Beth’s career included roles in corporate, agency, post-secondary, non-profit, and government communications. When the Diamond-Gunter group joined forces with NATIONAL Public Relations in 1997, she became the managing partner of the firm’s new Calgary office and later was honored to hold a board position with the firm’s holding company, Res Publica (now Avenir Global). With the talent and reach of NATIONAL’s team, Beth was able to help her Alberta clients advocate for their companies and causes across the country and around the world. As the head of the firm’s energy practice and with her penchant for creative, collaborative solutions, she helped build the Canadian Centre for Energy Information, the Energy Policy Institute of Canada and the Canadian Oilsands Innovation Alliance, among others. She provided counsel for most major transactions and acquisitions, trusted by CEOs on all sides of any deal for her common sense and uncommon strategic acumen. She led projects and teams that informed Canadians’ understanding of critical and changing issues: energy policy, sustainability, and evolving discussions around environmental stewardship. Her efforts shaped elements of Canadian public policy that remain timely and relevant today.

Equally important as achieving success for her clients was Beth’s commitment to mentoring. With a quiet word, some thoughtful edits, a much-needed laugh, or a conversation over coffee, she influenced and inspired. A generation of communicators owes Beth for helping them launch successful careers. She insisted upon – and modelled – professional excellence and personal integrity. Beth valued curiosity. She asked courageous questions. She expected thoughtful answers. Her ideal evening was a salon-style conversation on weighty topics with smart people, leavened with laughter, accompanied by unpretentious food.

Beyond work and family, Beth believed in the importance of contributing to her community. She served on the Boards of the United Way of Calgary and Calgary Opera. She helped drive the inauguration of the Famous Five Foundation in Alberta. She contributed substantially to the work of the Calgary Foundation and the Women’s Executive Network. She was particularly proud of her membership in the International Women’s Forum (IWF) – or the “powerful chicks club” as she always referred to it.

A Celebration of Beth’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.  Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Beth’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Those attending will be asked to provide valid government identification (with name and date of birth) AND confirm one of the following: (A)Provincial vaccine record with QR code (paper or digital); OR (B)negative COVID test (within 72 hours); or (C)valid medical exemption (signed letter); OR (D)under 12 years of age. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

Beth’s family gratefully acknowledges the important support and companionship provided by Shannon Simao, and others, as Beth came to require increasing support in her home. Flowers are graciously declined. The family is establishing a dedicated scholarship fund at SAIT in Beth’s honor for which tax-deductible contributions of any amount will be gratefully accepted in the near future. Additional details are currently being finalized; interim information can be obtained by emailing Joseph Bardsley, at bethdiamondscholarship@gmail.com. 

In living memory of Beth Diamond, 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.

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