RODGER, Diane Louise

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Celebration of a Life Well Lived

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write these words. To mark the passing of my courageous mother, Diane Louise Rodger (née Moseanko), in August. After a long and hard-fought fight against illness, my mom passed on to new and better things.

Born in Chilliwack, BC, in March of 1950, to Verna and Samual Moseanko, she was the first of 7 children to be welcomed into the home in Ryder Lake. Diane led many an adventurous time with her brothers and sisters on the hill that became the sanctuary of childish escapades and stories that she fondly reminisced about long into her life. Memories of rope swings and make-believe that fuelled the adventures of her future children. Predeceased by her parents Sam and Verna, adopted brother Gary and brother in law Randy, she leaves behind a large family, Sisters, Debra, and Donna; Brothers Wayne, Rob, and David; nieces and nephews, Abby, Polly, Kris, Lea, Brad, Ryan, Beth, Sarah, Naomi, and Christina; as well as her 2 loving children Rusty and Nickie; and her devoted grandchildren Daylan and Rocco.

Diane led a spectacular life and, on many occasions, told me that it was a “life well lived”. Travelling and road trips, exploring places all over, she always found some piece of history to talk about in a place, and enjoyed the simple act of a long car ride to some new and unexplored location.

She trained to be a nurse early after leaving home in Ryder Lake, but found it wasn’t for her and started a long career with BC Tel/Telus as an operator on the switchboard in Vancouver. There she met and married David Rodger, and together they would take the leap of moving to the Okanagan, where they would have 2 children, Rusty and Nickie. The house that was built on Last Mountain above Westbank would be the family home until both children were well grown and became the spot where their own adventures were created, much like the ones Diane had shared with brother Wayne and so fondly remembered. Diane went on to continue a lifelong career with the telephone company, from sales and marketing to installation and repair, where she learned to climb telephone poles and carried on a strong family tradition of women in non-traditional roles. Diane retired after more than 38 years with Telus and went on to pursue her hidden artistic side. Plunging deep into painting, calligraphy, and watercolour. As many of you knew and were recipients of her beautiful hand-drawn cards and letters, she was always so proud of being able to share. Many hearts were brightened with the opening of mailboxes to these cards done with so much love from her. And she always loved how they would be spread around the world and could travel to places she had never been. She joined many a letter club so that she could experience the world through the joy of cards and letter writing.

Later in life, Diane had the honour to become grandmother to 2 beautiful boys, and she relished this responsibility and commitment with her whole heart. The love that she poured into Daylan and Rocco will remain with them forever. But the joy they brought to her as well can never be counted. From days spent teaching Daylan how to knit or write in cursive to sharing afternoon meatball Subs with Rocco, she was always the giver of quiet moments that can never be forgotten. Eating her banana loaf after school or having her teach them how to safely climb out of trees were just a few of the small gifts that she gave to them. But these are only a few of many. As she often said, “It’s not about the things we give our children, but the time spent doing things with them that matters”. And no truer words were ever spoken.

While now our hearts are broken at saying goodbye to a woman who quietly filled the world, we will all try and find the way forward. My hopes are that those who loved her will live on in a way that would make her smile. Live fully, love wholly, travel, and experience the world. And don’t forget to take the time to enjoy the path as we hurry along it. If you see daffodils in spring, stop and enjoy their yellow brilliance; these were her favourite, and her garden at the old house was filled with them. Yellow was also her favourite colour, and bright sunshine yellow always made her smile.

We will be planning a Celebration of Life and are finalizing details now, and will reach out when dates are set. Our hopes are that all who knew and loved her will come together for an afternoon to celebrate an amazing woman, mother, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend, share stories and laughter. As grief is not just an emotion, it is an unravelling of the shared experiences we had with a person. A journey to a place where, eventually, the deep loss can be softened by the memories of quiet moments of love. I know that it would make our mom so happy to see family together, as we once all did when Grandma Verna was alive. Dates will be confirmed soon.

If you feel the need to send flowers, please wait and plant daffodils this fall instead. Share this as you feel, and if you have photos of Diane, please private message Nickie Rodger with them, as I would like to put together a slide show for when we gather :).

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.