Dianna Marcella Van Allen
(Trudeau)

Our beautiful Mom, Dianna Marcella Van Allen (Trudeau), left this life for a new adventure on September 27, 2026.

Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, on June 9, 1949, Dianna was the youngest of six children. Her dear sister Kim recalled that their mother nicknamed her “Dynamite,” and Dianna carried that spark with her until the end.

For those who knew her, it was clear she had the best sense of humour. It could be a little shocking at times, which made it all the funnier. She was beautiful, kind, and the most generous person. She always believed that if you work hard, you will find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Despite not having much, she donated generously to the Salvation Army, gave her precious time to care for those in need, and was never too busy to listen, offer advice, or be there when someone needed her.

She loved her children fiercely and taught them that “compassion is everything” and that, in the end, how we make people feel matters most. She also believed that if you have a lot, you have too much.

Dianna was a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who put herself through school while raising her children as a single mom. She worked in both public care homes and private home care. When her daughter Shawna was in high school, Dianna would ask her to visit Ponderosa Lodge, where Dianna worked, to sit and talk with some of the residents whose families had not come to visit. Shawna spent time listening to their stories and to their praise for Dianna. They loved her. Dianna made the residents feel important, loved, and respected.

Dianna often brought her guitar on her days off and sang to the residents. During holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, our family would sometimes invite a resident without family to join us for dinner (times have changed, and you would probably lose your licence for that now!).

She once snuck in scotch for a resident who enjoyed a glass or three before bed. When the other nurses found his stash, Mom simply bought him another bottle and told him to find a better hiding place.

She believed the residents should never be treated like children in their final years. If they weren’t a threat to anyone, she felt they deserved to make their own choices. To her, it was worth risking her job to afford them some dignity in their final days.

Dianna also had her own dictionary of words: fricken, furkin, dibble dorf, flippin’ dork, bad dudes, do-right boys, and kick you where the sun don’t shine, to name a few. Others will remain unsaid, lol.

Dianna and her partner of 17 years, Howard, lived on a farm along the Eagle River in Sicamous, where they created the most beautiful home. The property spanned five acres with a flourishing vegetable garden, flower beds surrounded by green grass, private beaches, and a sparkling river. It was a lot of work, but when she was able, she loved being outdoors and getting her hands dirty. It was where she was most literally “grounded.” She could grow just about anything, and it gave her so much joy. Of course, she shared her bounty with everyone.

She loved caring for Howard and the home they shared, even as it grew harder for her to manage. Mom found joy in caring for others and in making things beautiful, often at the expense of her own needs and, later, her health. But that’s who she was.

Another of Dianna’s passions was singing and playing the guitar; her music became her panacea. Country music was her jam.

When Shawna was little, Dianna would sit her on her knee at house parties, and they would sing together. Dianna was convinced they would be the next “Judds.” Shawna, on the other hand, did it for the $5 her mom’s friends would give her! It was an embarrassing time for Shawna, but worth it for the joy it brought Dianna and the memories it now gives her.

She sang weekly with her brother Harley over the phone, a tradition that lasted into her final days, even after she lost much of her singing voice following her stroke. Together, they sang classic hymns and songs from their childhood.

Her favourite song to sing on her own was “Coat of Many Colors,” a Dolly Parton classic. She could relate to being the youngest of six, growing up poor with a mother who did her best to make her children feel loved and special despite their circumstances. Dianna would close her eyes and strum her guitar, and you could see her lose herself in the words.

We can imagine her and Dolly singing that song together now.

Dianna was also the loudest cheerleader at Cory and Shawna’s baseball games. Cory recalls being mortified by how loudly she cheered and how fiercely she defended the players whenever she felt the umpire had made the wrong call. The teammates loved it, though. They loved her, and for many, she became a surrogate mom.

During her last year in a care home, rather than dwelling on how difficult it must have been to go from being strong and independent before her stroke to needing 24-hour care, Dianna kept trying to look after the other residents (once a nurse, always a nurse). She made the caregivers laugh and won at bingo like a champ! She had enough chocolate winnings to open her own candy cart.

We are so thankful that, despite everything, she was able to be herself until the very end.

This has been one of the most difficult times for our family. She will be deeply missed. A big part of our hearts went with her, but we know she’s with the angels now. No more struggle, no more pain, just peace.

“Don’t worry, be happy!” she would say.

We’ll try, Mom, but for now, we’re really sad.

“Love you to the moon, stars, and universe!”

“Love you to infinity and beyond, and even more, Mom!”

She hated when people said goodbye. It was always, “See you later.”

So, see you later, Mom. We love you.

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Our heartfelt thanks to the caregivers who went the extra mile during Dianna’s time in their care. Special thanks also to her faithful best friends, Lynne Lagore and Jenny Marchand, who visited her so faithfully, and to her cousin Lois Fehr, who offered so much support during a difficult time.

Dianna is survived by her partner of 17 years, Howard Vinje; her son, Cory Leader, and grandchildren Brody and Samantha; her daughter, Shawna Leader, and grandson, Ethan; her siblings, Kim Muirhead, Harley Trudeau (Barbera), and Juliette Trudeau (Robert); and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Velora Trudeau, and her sisters, Aimee and Joyce Trudeau.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-554-2324

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: