Diana Purves
Diana Marguerite Purves (nee Rothwell)
July 11, 1941 - July 8 2024
Diana Purves, beloved wife of Ross and loving mother of Sandra and Brian, passed away July 8, 2024, at the age of 82.99 years. Diana devoted her life to her family and music.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at McDougall United Church (8516 Athabasca Street S.E., Calgary, AB) on Saturday July 20, 2024, at 10:30 am. For those unable to attend in-person the service will be streamed live and available after the service on the McDougall United Church YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@mcdougallunitedchurchcalga4407/featured).
Diana was born in Calgary but spent her early years on a homestead in Fallen Timber, AB, and then on a farm near Didsbury, AB. Diana began her lifelong love of the piano in the small farmhouse where she learned to play. Diana’s family moved to Calgary in her later teens where she completed high school. Her first career choice was to teach piano, but Diana was encouraged by her own piano teacher to teach in the school system. Following that advice, Diana attended the Calgary campus of the University of Alberta for her diploma in teaching followed by a Bachelor of Education. Diana started her teaching career with the Calgary Board of Education in the 60’s focusing on music and English and retired from the CBE over 40 years later.
Diana and Ross were married in 1968 and enjoyed 56 years together. When their first child (Sandra) was born, Diana paused her teaching career. Two years later Brian was born. Diana directed her energy into raising the children and managing the home with a more than capable hand. Diana volunteered in many roles and made sure her children had opportunities in music and sport.
Diana returned to studies and the classroom in the 80’s. She completed a Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary specializing in the Kodály and Orff methods of teaching music. Diana’s focus for the rest of her career was to introduce and encourage the love of music in students in the Calgary school system.
Music was a large part of Diana’s life outside the classroom. She sang in many choirs and played piano at church, in seniors' homes, at Heritage Park during the Christmas season, and as accompanist for choirs. Diana made sure her own children and grandchildren were given a strong foundation in music and encouraged every musical interest. Diana had quite an eclectic taste in music and loved to attend concerts, musicals, operas, performances of her nieces and the piano recitals of her grandchildren.
Diana always remained very close to her parents and sister, Fay. The family spend many meals, holiday celebrations and vacations together between their homes, Chestermere Lake and the Okanagan.
Diana will be lovingly remembered by her husband Ross, daughter Sandra (Matt), son Brian (Vanessa), her grandchildren Ariele, Levi and Chaz and her nieces Sheryl and Heather with their families.
Diana is predeceased by her parents Art and Ann Rothwell, sister Fay and Fay’s husband Oscar.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta (https://parkinsonassociation.ca) or 1-800-561-1911.