Dianne June Newman

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dianne June Newman. Born 11th of January, 1956, Dianne was the seventh and last child of Henry and Marion Newman of Chilliwack, Dianne succumbed very quickly to a condition that robbed her of the life she would have shared with her loving partner Brad Copeland and her remaining siblings. Rather than prolong a hopeless situation, she bravely decided to pass with peace, quiet dignity and grace at Vancouver General Hospital on the 1st of April 2025.

From three years old, Dianne was tap toeing in our lives. She was a talented guitar player and singer who accompanied pianist Jessie in spreading joy to the residents of nursing homes around Vancouver. Jessie and Dianne also energized the life and activities of Point Grey Legion 142 in Kitsilano on a regular basis with other musical friends. Dianne spent countless hours ensuring the success of their band Groove Therapy.

Dianne provided a home that smelled of baked bread, delicious meals and jams and sauces for visiting friends and relatives from near and far away places. She was generous with her time and her talents, and never stopped trying to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Countless hours were spent on buses, travelling so she could help out and spend time with our Mom in her declining years.

Her career included 25 plus years of on-air experience in radio broadcasting – enhanced by her insatiable curiosity and passion to entertain, inform and enlighten. For 19 ½ years she worked with Rogers Broadcasting with her final position being the co-anchor of the Morning show of News 1130, where her straightforward manner of providing the news – without editorial content - endeared listeners to her. This multi tasking position demanded quick changes and a strong knowledge of history, politics, an understanding of human nature and being able to pronounce unpronounceable names in an instant.

Dianne was always classy, considerate and very well spoken. She followed world news and current events throughout her life and happily shared her intelligent insights.

For the past nearly 13 years she has worked as a narrator for Descriptive Video Works providing visual description of movies and television programming for the visually impaired. She provided a clear, neutral and informative description of the story unfolding and didn’t distract from the audio or visuals on the screen. They no doubt will miss her clear articulation of the unfolding stories.

Brad and Dianne enjoyed new adventures, including travelling to Australia and Asia, as well as many vacations exploring and relaxing in Mexico where Dianne practiced her Spanish. Dianne also loved to tour and explore Canada. Dianne lived and worked in Chilliwack, Toronto, and Squamish before settling in Vancouver. Here she made Kitsilano her home with Brad. For more than 33 years of friendship, love, and most importantly dancing in the kitchen, laughing and enjoying each others company. A new love erupted recently; Luna – a stray they adopted and have both loved.

She leaves a family grieving for their beautiful baby sister, including Dick and Bonnie Newman, Grace Newman, Ed Wilson, Lynda McDowell, Barry and Sandra Bennett, and Patricia Newman as well as many nieces and nephews. She now joins her Mom and Dad, sister Bettylou, brother Ed and nephew Michael and brother-in-law Don.

It’s hard to believe she is gone and the world is a much sadder place without her in it.

YOU NEVER KNOW HOW STRONG YOU ARE UNTIL BEING STRONG IS THE ONLY CHOICE YOU HAVE.

A Celebration of Dianne’s Life will be held at 1pm on the 1st of June 2025 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 142 | West Point Grey |3679 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6R 2B8.