SPRINGER, Diana Joan Margaret (nee: Murray) May 21, 1922 - August 17, 2014 Diana died Sunday August 17 - reluctantly with dignity and grace, and surrounded by love. She is free and young again at last. Born in Essex England, Diana came to Canada as a war bride having married RAF Flt Lt Robert (Bob) Springer in 1942 during WWII. After the war, they settled and farmed in Westbank carving out a life off the land. The challenges of these early years capture well the essence of Diana's courage, resiliency and sense of adventure. Thanks to the invaluable friendships that were formed along the way Diana, the city girl found her groove in the country for over 50 years raising five children with her husband. She was an avid and admired gardener, she was part of the Kelowna Little Theatre group, and she started the first recreation program in Westbank organizing swimming lessons for the local families in the summer. It was only to escape the grief of losing their eldest daughter to cancer that brought them to Vancouver Island to be closer to family settling first in Duncan and after Bob's death, in Victoria. The Okanagan would always be home, however, and despite many happy years on the Island, there was always a deep longing for their friends, their youth, the alluring scent of pine trees in the summer and the calm of the majestic lake. Diana loved her life, her family and her many friends. She was smart, funny, strong-willed, insightful, caring and loving. Diana was greatly loved and is dearly missed. Diana was predeceased by her husband in 2010, and her first born Diane in 1983 (Chub (Harold) Down, Greg and Tim). She is survived by her children: Wendy (Jack Bone and stepson Mike Williams); Dick (Sue and grandchildren Jill and Scott (Dina and great grandchild Alina); Jack (Cathy Guidi and grandchildren Joel (Amie) and Shea; Kathi (Bill Valentine and grandchildren Connor, Naomi, Melissa and Mackenzie) and nephews Peter Murray (Jackie) and Joss Murray (Sybil). The family would like to thank Victoria Hospice nurses, doctors and support workers who were tremendously skilled, caring and generous with their time and kindness supporting mom's final journey as well as our grief. A celebration of Diana's life will be held in Westbank in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, please spend meaningful time in a beautiful setting with someone you love, and consider a donation to your local Hospice in the name of Diana Springer.