Obituary of Diana Lynn Randall

Peacefully surrounded by love, Diana gracefully passed away as the sun was rising on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the age of 74.

Many years ago, Diana was approached by a handsome lad named Rick who was looking to "bum a smoke". As fate would have it, that little favour would lead to an exuberant life together and more than 48 years of marriage.

She was a loving and devoted mother to Ryan (Jessica), Haley (Bob) and Cassie (Mark) whose names she would mix up on a good day, but would always give them endless love, time or grief if they didn’t show up for family dinners. Proud "DiDi" to Maddox, Ruby, and her grand-baby due in September whom she described as a miracle that she “never thought would happen”. Diana was survived by her mother-in-law, Muriel Randall, her sisters Cheryl (the late Paul) Smith, Shannon (Fred) Henderson, honorary sister Lynda (John) Flynn, and sister-in-law Debbie (Brad) Linklater.

She will be lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews whose memories of Aunti Di are quite hilarious and expressive of her vivacity. She is also cherished by many cousins, close friends and her St. John’s Ambulance family, who cannot all be named for fear of missing somebody.

Diana was predeceased by her parents Albert and Baletta French, her father-in-law Morley Randall, her brother-in-law Paul Smith, and by many aunts, uncles and fur babies whom she would pay homage to by way of her storied gardens and antiques.

Many people would have crossed paths with Diana as she was a teacher for 31 years with The Lincoln County Board of Education (now named The District School Board of Niagara). After retiring from the school board, Diana then turned her focus to her second career as a professional volunteer. She donated her time to the Grantham Lioness Club and St. John Ambulance, which her kids suspect was her way of dodging housework in hopes that Rick would do it. For all of Diana’s success in life, her crowning achievement occurred just before Christmas last year when she was awarded the Order of St. John for well over 10,000 volunteer hours in a quarter of a century. The CEO of St. John Council for Ontario stated, “Diana was a testament to all that the Order stands for.”

Diana loved all children who weren’t her own and loved her own children relative to who cursed less in her presence that day. She excelled at making $50 worth of backyard fireworks exciting, taking in strays, mornings, Halloween, levelling up those who sat comfortably in mediocrity, mud pies, technology, contagious smiles, getting the last word in and loving unconditionally. She did NOT excel at wearing shoes, keeping an opinion to herself, holding hands, chewing gum, walking away from a sale or a microphone, pronouncing the word “tiger”, driving in the snow, taking no for an answer, sitting still, and accepting that Rick also didn’t like housework.

One thing she loved more than weekend Happy Hour, was weekday Happy Hour! She would initiate each Happy Hour by tracking her kids on FindMyFriends and sending messages like, “U still at work?”, “Need more white wine” or “Your Dad is watching CNN again. Yawn!”

Her lifelong hobbies included gardening, cooking, and starting new hobbies only to move onto another one after she mastered the previous one.

The Randall family would like to share their great appreciation and respect to all medical staff at St. Catharines General, Hamilton General and Juravinski Cancer Centre; who assisted Diana throughout her health journey despite the challenging pandemic circumstances, and for patiently tolerating the various personalities and unique dynamics of Diana’s family — the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree after all!

Arrangements have been entrusted with Essentials Cremation and Burial Services, and cremation has taken place.

Diana, ever the life of a party, left the physical realm amidst a global pandemic that restricts funerals. However, she never wanted a funeral because she didn’t want everyone moping around. Instead, she wanted a gathering where clinking of wine glasses could be heard and high- spirited stories could be shared. Diana will get her Happy Hour Celebration of Life when COVID restrictions lift and her garden is in full bloom.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you do something nice for someone unexpectedly and share your kind act with a member of the Randall family or tag Diana on Facebook. For those who prefer a monetary act of kindness, please donate to St. John Ambulance Car Seat program, or Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research in her honour.