TIDBALL, Eva Dianne October 24, 1932 to June 21, 2014 Dianne Tidball is now eternally dancing with the love of her life George. She waited just eighteen days to join him. Dianne was born in Shanghai, China on October 24th, 1932. Her father John Braidwood managed Lever Brother's Far East Division, and they resided in the British sector. Dianne's parents met in 1928 Warsaw Poland where 25 year old John was Lever Brother's youngest plant manager. After the marriage John and Zofja (anglicized to Wenda) transferred to Shanghai. On leave to visit Poland in 1939, Dianne and family narrowly escaped the invading Germans. After a short stay in England living in the company town Port Sunlight, John decided to settle the family in Vancouver, renting a home on Angus Drive while he returned to Shanghai. Dianne attended York House Elementary until a doctor suggested her health would improve in a drier climate. Wenda moved the family to the village of Naramata, just outside Penticton. Meanwhile John was interned in a Japanese prison of war camp. Dianne and her sister Allison attended school in Naramata and were bullied for their British accents and foreign sounding mother. After the war, John collected his family, settled the girls in an exclusive boarding school and returned to Shanghai to put the company back in order. At Tortington Park School Dianne demonstrated her athleticism by excelling in field hockey, tennis, horseback riding and jive dancing (taught by the American students). Dianne and Allison took a cruise ship home for summer holidays in Shanghai. In a letter written to her parents fourteen year old Dianne insisted she was old enough to look after her younger sister on the trip and no longer needed a supervising adult. In the same letter she asked to disembark independently in Egypt to buy gifts for her friends. Her parents decided the girls should remain in Shanghai and attend Sacred Heart Catholic Convent high school. The situation deteriorated in Shanghai once again with the rise of Communism and John decided to take early retirement to build a holiday resort in Naramata on beach front property Wenda had judiciously purchased. Dianne attended Penticton High and graduated in 1951 reserving the first three dances on her dance card for Bud (George). Dianne and George married November 8th, 1952. Their wedding reception was the first for the Braidwood holiday resort: Sandy Beach Lodge. For the next twenty five years Dianne fully supported, encouraged and prompted all George's successes. As the same time she gave birth to Kathy on October 4th, 1953--George's birthday present. Dianne continued working as a bank teller supporting the family while George apprenticed and studied to become a CA. Stephen was born on August 4th, 1955. Then Jane came along 11 months later on July 21st, 1956. Dianne retired from the bank to look after her family. After George's graduation, the family moved to Kitimat and work at Aluminum Canada (Alcan). George so impressed a visiting Harvard professor that he offered him a scholarship. With Dianne's full support, they sold everything and with $50.00 in their pockets moved to Boston. While the scholarship was substantial it only covered tuition and books. Dianne once again stepped in and typed envelopes at home for Pitney Bowes. After George graduated (top of his class), they moved to Chicago for George to pursue his Phd. Tired of student poverty, George accepted a job with McKinsey and Company and the family drove across the States to Los Angeles and eventually an executive position with MacMillian Bloedel in Vancouver. Laura was born on March 2nd, 1964. Dianne missed the family friendly, clean, fast food restaurant in Chicago called MacDonald's. Finally after much prompting, George agreed to approach MacDonald's for one franchise to keep Dianne happy. He came back with the rights to western Canada and an option for the rest if he could raise the funds. Once again, finances were tight. Four years and 32 stores later George sold MacDonald's and Dianne built her dream home in Langley (after living for two years in a double wide trailer). They built a riding ring and everyone started riding competitively. Dianne bred and trained BC's first homebred AQHA champion. As a real estate enticement Dianne and George built Thunderbird Equestrian Center in Langley while George also began his own restaurant chain: The Keg and Cleaver. Now begins Dianne's business career. She took over management of Thunderbird and ran the horse shows. Dianne was the Chamber of Commerce's Businesswoman of the Year. When she was 65 the property was sold for development. Instead of retiring Dianne proposed building another Show Facility from the ground up and doing it right. The result: Thunderbird Show Park now ranks number two in North America. Horse Council recognized Dianne's accomplishments with a lifetime achievement award. As well, she was inducted into Jump Canada's Hall of Fame with a Builder's Award. During this time Dianne traveled the world supporting daughter Laura show jumping in World Cups held in Sweden, Berlin and Florida and both the Los Angeles and Seoul Olympics. She was her happiest surrounded by family and invited us to travel along to Equitation finals, World Cups and Olympic competitions. Daughter Jane went on to become the 1977 Canadian Alpine Champion after learning to ski on rope tows under Dianne's tutelage and support. Dianne spent many years supporting Jane and the Tyee Ski Club members through fundraising, gatekeeping, and making chili for cold, hungry racers. In her seventies, Dianne took her last trip was to Poland and led the family bike ride along the Vistula River. Every Sunday was a family dinner. Every summer we holidayed together in the Naramata cabin. Her clean- up lists were legendary as was her sweeping prowess. She spent her final years peacefully at home attended by her angel caretakers: Lena, Liberty and Myrna. Dianne is predeceased by her husband George, brothers-in-law Bill (Janet) and Larry and sister Allison. She is deeply missed by her four children: Kathy (Mark), Stephen (Trish), Jane and Laura (Brent). As well, she is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren: Laura Jane, Christine, George (Trisha), Jill (Max), Stephanie (Quinten), Scott and Matthew. Three great grandchildren and another on the way will miss Nana: Rees, Logan and Hugh. Dianne is fondly remembered by her sister-in-law Sara Lee and brother-in-law Jim (Janan). She is also greatly missed by her first cousin Christine Billingham (Roger), Katie and Fred in England. As well, Dianne is remembered by many nieces and nephews who loved summering in Naramata and family parties. Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday, July 14th at 9:30 at St. Joseph's Church in Langley.