Diane was so lovely, kind and sweet . We had enjoyed many chats over coffee . Diane enjoyed a singalong to the old musicals . She loved the main man in her life Mr Finnagan . She would talk lovingingly of her family. She was especially happy that she came to live with Lisa and Ian. I will miss her laughter and the fun chats we had .

I have only got fond memories going back SO many years for “Auntie” Diane. Firstly she is the link that I and my family still have to this day to the South Coast, obviously Ferndown, but also all those beautiful sunny days on the beach she introduced us to at Canford Cliffs when we were growing up. I feel so blessed to have had a childhood growing up on that beach, despite living far away I go there often even now and think of those days and smiling at the thought, and I will always be grateful that Diane made that happen. She and my Mum were always very funny together, a friendship that lasted well over sixty years. Sadly, for one reason or another I saw much less of her in recent years but I was always aware of how she was doing and as I said thought of her often. I would also like to say how kind she was to my Grandparents when they retired to West Parley a long time ago now, they were also very fond of her and pleased to see her whenever she popped round.

I would like to express my deep condolences to Lisa, Richard and Jason and their families, and also Norma and her family, I wish you all every strength for the future. I will always remember Diane and the memories will only ever be warm ones. Goodbye Diane…

Diane I remember the lovely times we sat in Ian and lisa garden having a cup of tea with dad and mum and watching your grandchildren play and when Ian and lisa would take you down to Bournemouth pier and then we would all have a walk round the park .spent lots of times down at the beach hut making memories. Sleep tight allways in our thoughts

I loved learning that Diane was a fan of old musicals and that she enjoyed the couple of DVDs we sent her way – it was great to hear how she’d take delight in watching them. I remember her very sweet smile when we last visited for a BBQ in Ferndown. God bless Diane and lots of love to Lisa, Ian and all the family xxxx

Fondest memories of my second cousin, Diane.
Always so kind and thoughtful.
A gentle, mild, selfless lady with a beautiful smile that lit up the room

Much love, rest in peace,

Sue Storer (Nee Steer)

Love and peace go with you Diane – but no flirting with MY Denis until I join you.

With much love

Molly X

Diane was a joy to be with for her first attendance at Ferndown Plus Day Centre, articulate, chatty, so interesting, with a twinkle in her eye. Her real love of all music particularly something she could dance to was immediately obvious. Diane was at her happiest dancing with whichever ‘man’, or anyone else she could encourage onto the dance floor or singing along to our Manager Billy, playing guitar. She was such a lovely Lady, proud of her appearance and always so elegant, especially her nails which everyone admired and watched to see the changes in colour, matching her clothes.
We are so sad that Covid Lockdowns prevented us from continuing to look after her during this past year, but have only happy memories of her time attending four sessions each week.

I have so many lovely memories from my time spent with Diane. During my first week looking after Diane she asked how old I was. When I replied “I’m 38”, Diane told me “Oh, only a bit older than me then, I’m 32 and a bit”.

We would often watch ‘Singing in the rain’ twice in a row, go to the library to find new musicals we could rent, and spend ages looking at the plants and sparkly things in the garden centre.

We’d share chocolate cake and cookies. I’d paint her nails ‘all sparkly’ and then we’d sing in the shower to anything on ‘Grandmas playlist’.

Diane was always chatting in her own way, singing, or dancing, and we used to love going to the church events where she would often surprise me by standing from her wheelchair and dancing when a favourite hymn was sung.

But then Diane was full of surprises, a very determined and strong lady. She was always so content, and I feel very privileged to have been a part of the happy environment created for Diane by Lisa and Ian.

Diane was very occasionally grumpy with me, on the days she found tricky to communicate or simply when she wanted to ‘go back to bed with Finn’.

But the best days were those when she’d say “I love you” as clearly as if she truly were still ‘32 and a bit’.

We met Diane when we first moved to Ferndown. She saw Leo and told me that her daughter was a childminder. Who knew at that point what a part of our lives their family would become. Leo and Annabel knew her as “Grandma” and they entertained her in the garden over the last few years. I know she enjoyed watching them and they will miss her presence.

Our thoughts are with Lisa, Ian and family x

Diane smiled all the time, it lit up her whole face. When she smiled you knew it was for you – it was full of love (just like her mum). We shared all our family tree secrets, I miss that this is no longer an option. Back safely in the arms of the family. Much love Diane, God bless.

Julia & John 🙏xxx

Graham had known Diane for a long time. I had spoken to her on the telephone but never actually met her until Caroline started caring for her. Since then we have all had some lovely times together, meals, coffee but the most magical one was the boat trip in the harbour. She loved the whole evening and so did everyone else around her.
We will always remember her face lighting up when she saw and recognised you, well Graham not me. She always remembered Graham.
She was a really lovely lady and always talked so much about her family and Mr Fin.

In loving memory of Diane,
God bless you,
Val & Brian