Obituary of Diana Claramae Parnell

It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the passing of Diana Claramae Parnell (nee Cool). Diana passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the age of 84 years. Beloved wife of 58 years to Keith Parnell, Diana is survived by her brothers Leonard (Isabel), David (the late Glenda), her six children - Daniel, John (Patricia), Richard (Rena), George (Leanne), Theresa (Allan) and Wayne (Teresa), as well as six grandchildren - Diana (Geoffrey), Sandra (Barry), Jessica (Jason), Cameron (Kristen), Nash, and Hart, and eight great- grandchildren, Chanelle, Carmen, Myatta, Lucas, Peyton, Landon, Daylynn, and Sutton, and many nieces and nephews. A proud Calgarian, Diana attended Cottage Elementary School, Western Canada High School and University Demonstration School (SAIT). Working her way in a variety of administrative positions, Diana retired at age 58 from her position as Executive Secretary to the Vice President of the Canadian Petroleum Association. Very active in her church, Diana oversaw bazaars and led the church’s beautification, hanging quilts that adorned the sanctuary and hallways. Diana’s skill at crafts was beyond extraordinary, as she excelled in and enjoyed needlework, knitting, crochet work, and quilting, also sharing her skills with innumerable others who benefited from her knowledge and enthusiasm. She participated in the Heritage Park Quilters Guild where she served as trusted Treasurer for six years. Many babies have been placed lovingly on Diana’s beautiful quilts, and friends and family were never without her famous crocheted dish cloths, door frogs and cross stitch Christmas ornaments. In her early years she was a majorette for the Calgary Stampeders, a dancer, and taught baton. Diana’s favourite early memories include dancing in tap toe shoes, riding her horse Amboy, and walking the three kilometres to her best friend’s house in Brentwood — in the days when Capitol Hill was mostly green space. In the early days of their marriage, Diana and Keith travelled throughout Canada and the world, including trips to Europe, and continued their love of travel post retirement with trips to Hawaii, China, Alaska, and cruising the Panama Canal. Funeral Services will be held at Holy Cross Church on Saturday February 1, 2020 at 1:00 pm (2828 - 19 St NW, Calgary, AB). Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Diana’s obituary at hffs.com If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. Funeral Service Saturday, February 1, 2020 1:00 PM Holy Cross Anglican Church 2828 - 19th Street NW Calgary,Alberta T2M 3V8