Obituary of Diana Louise Freeman

Diana Louise Freeman was a truly remarkable person. She was born on August 14, 1943 in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan to Fred and Clara Neuls. Mom was the youngest of two children. She was a little sister to Wilbert, whom she loved very much. There were many relatives living in the area near their family farm. Wilbert and Mom along with their cousins Ruth, Bob and Wayne were inseparable. They were known as "the group of five"! Mom was very close to her cousin Wayne and considered him her best "buddy." They had great times going over to Wayne's grandma's house for freshly baked cookies. At the age of thirteen Mom was heartbroken when the family relocated to Little Boulder, British Columbia. Leaving family, friends and her beloved dog Ralph behind. Grandma and Grandpa had made the decision to move to help his brother, Herb and brother in-law John on their sawmill. As time passed it wasn't long before Little Boulder felt like home. Mom talked about playing hockey and baseball with the boys and she always let us know she was pretty darn good at it too. Mom went to school in Chetwynd and attended high school in Dawson Creek where she lived at the dorms. Mom's first taste of the Post Office was in Chetwynd, at the young age of fifteen. She had various other jobs including the movie theatre where she met many people, one in particular a fellow named George Freeman! It was on an arranged double date with friends that she ended up going to a dance with non-other than, George! On June 29, 1963 George and Diana were married and started their family early the following year with the arrival of a baby girl, Jane. Then 2 1/2 years later came George Jr.(the fifth) but I liked to call him Eddy. They soon got a welcomed surprise and Nancy arrived eleven short months after George. But it wasn't until Dad brought home a surprise gift, a little chihuahua puppy we named Tiny. He made our family complete. Tiny was a great watch dog and he was definitely Mom's dog. Throughout the years Mom and Dad lived in Chetwynd, Prince George, Fort Langley and Dawson Creek but built their retirement home in the Hudsons Hope area. In the late 70's Mom got the camping and fishing bug and it quickly became their new found passion. Many people who are here today have been up to Wiliston Lake camping and fishing with them over the years. For 30 years they have been members of the Portage Mountain Yachet Club as well as being neighbors! Mom enjoyed the great outdoors whether it was fishing on the boat or cooking and visiting around the campfire. She also enjoyed sitting on the veranda watching the deer, elk, moose, you name it really. If it had 4 legs chances are they had it out there! Mom had many enjoyments in her life but one was her career with Canada Post. She worked in Chetwynd, Langley and Dawson Creek. With 30 years of service just in Dawson Creek alone. You could always expect a friendly smile and a warm greeting if you walked up to Diana's counter for stamps. She won many postal awards for top sales and excellence at her job. Mom was a proud, dedicated employee who wouldn't even consider taking a sick day. She had many hobbies over the years such as bowling, crocheting, taking photographs, playing cards, collecting coins and stamps, visiting friends and checking in on their elderly neighbors. Mom was a natural at baking bread and buns. She was a fantastic cook, even though Dad said, "When we first got married forty-nine years ago the only thing she knew how to do in the kitchen was boil sausage." To her six grandchildren she was Mama and the best cook ever! Mama felt her grandchildren were always a great joy and she loved their visits so much. She was also looking forward to being a "Great Mama" with her first great grandchild expected early next spring. The last three years were especially hard on Mom and Dad. Mom's health deteriorated and eventually illness took her from their home and the area she loved so much. In June 2011 she moved back to Dawson Creek and into the Rotary Manor for fulltime care. Mom was a loving, caring, soul who found good in everyone she met. With her always positive attitude and ability to make friends so easily, it was not long before she started to feel at home. She will be greatly missed by all her new friends and the staff at the Rotary Manor. Diana was a loving and devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Friend. She was loved by all who's lives she touched. Her love for our family was shown by her gentle strength and loving guidance. Mom was loved by all who knew her in this life and will always be remembered by her friends, family and the communities in which she lived. Special memories presented by Diana's daughter; Jane Freeman. Diana passed away peacefully on Friday, October 19, 2012, at the age of 69 years in Rotary Manor with her loving husband and children by her side. A celebration of Diana's life was held on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 1:00pm from Reynars Funeral Home, Dawson Creek, BC. Pauline Haycock officiated. Interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing donations may be made in memory of Diana to Make a Wish Foundation, #112-2025 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1Z6. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium