WILKINSON, Diane Lavina: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Diane Wilkinson after a courageous battle with cancer at her home in West Bank, with her family by her side. She was an amazing mom to Tanya (Randy) and Nicole (Anna), loving grandma to Samantha, Jesse, and Madlen, and dearest friend to Sandy Martini and many others too numerous to mention. Diane is predeceased by her loving parents Gene and Blanche Adams. Diane had a wonderful childhood on Vancouver Island, began her working career as a teacher in Britannia Beach, and then moved onto corrections eventually becoming District Manager of Chilliwack Parole Office. In 1985 Diane moved to Kelowna to work as Executive Director of Elizabeth Fry Society. The following years with E Fry and in private practice included many accomplishments, such as developing programs for sexually abused women, domestic violence programs in conjunction with the John Howard Society, and sex offender programs with UBCO and Forensic Services and Probation. Diane also sat on a Federal Task Force examining the conditions in women's prisons, another gratifying endeavor. Diane was a dedicated volunteer and board member in her community and touched many lives through participation in programs at Kelowna Family Centre, Kelowna Women's Resource Centre, Community Resources, Belaire House (Diane was instrumental in the development and management of this facility), Pro-Choice Action Society, and Planned Parenthood. Diane loved travelling with family and especially Sandy in their many adventures in the motor home and abroad in Mexico, Hawaii, Malaysia and North Thailand. After retirement, Diane enjoyed many activities, snowshoeing, tennis, Tai-Chi, painting, travelling, gardening, relaxing with her cat Zoe, and continuing volunteer work with Women's Resource Centre, Planned Parenthood and Project Literacy (a favorite). By request, there will be no service and we request donations to Project Literacy in lieu of flowers. Diane and Sandy express heartfelt thanks to the Kelowna Cancer Clinic and nurses at Interior Health.
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