Obituary of Diana Lois Doyle

Diana (Langford) Doyle was the youngest of four daughters--the late Vera, late Mollie and late Jean, born to Reginald and Alice Langford in Streatham, London, England. Before the second World War, Diana enjoyed a life filled with Pekingese dogs, horses, art and singing. Diana survived the air raids on London in the Blitz. She suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her temporarily blind and mute. This was the first challenge that an ordinary person would not have overcome. She persevered to recover her vision and lived all her life with a severe speech impediment. At 16, Diana immigrated to Canada with her parents, leaving behind her beloved art school, dogs and horses. They travelled on the Aquitania and entered Canada through the historic Pier 21 in Halifax. They travelled across Canada by train to Vancouver. Diana always said it was a trip every Canadian should make at least once in their life time. They settled in Windsor where at 21 she met her husband Patrick. While it wasn"t love at first sight for her, Patrick always said that when he saw her flashing green eyes and red hair he knew that he was going to marry her. The newlyweds" happily-ever-after was interrupted when Diana returned to England with her mother, to whom she was devoted, and nursed her mother until her death from cancer. Always the adventurer, Diana moved with Patrick to Elliot Lake and lived in a tiny trailer at a mine. They became champion archers then returned to Windsor to prepare for the arrival of their first child, Siobhan. Shortly after Siobhan was born, while roofing a house, Patrick fell and broke his back. Diana"s father went to finish the job, also fell from the roof and broke his back. The resourceful Diana, put the baby and the invalids into the same room to efficiently care for all three. Her family eventually grew to include Maeve and Fiona. Diana raised her family in Riverside, in a home that was filled with culture, love, laughter and the smell of baked bread. She was a member of the Catholic Women"s League and a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima. She also cared for her father at her home until his death in 1976. Diana attended the University of Windsor part time to pursue her studies in Fine Arts. At the very young age of 50, Diana suddenly became widowed. Her unwavering strength and determination allowed her to raise her young daughters and maintain an unbreakable family bond. Diana was infinitely proud to see her daughters through university and loved her sons-in-law Peppino, Peter and Sean whom she loved as her own children. Diana lived her later years until her death with Siobhan and Peppino and was ever grateful to them. She delighted in the growth of her little family to include her grandchildren Julie and her fianc" Claude, Patrick, Conor and his wife Chantel, Catriona and her fianc" Mike, Quinn, Devin, the late Lennan and Fallon; great-grandchildren Dusten, Liam and the late Damien, Lily Rose, Graydon and Benjamin. Diana loved her niece Jennifer and her family who held a special place in her heart. Diana"s constant companion in her last years was her beloved Yorkie, Lupo. Diana"s strength saw her through many health challenges and she constantly surprised and delighted her family by rallying time after time. Even in this final challenge, she gave Death a run for his money and went on her own terms. Diana was an extraordinary woman who inspired three generations. The inspiration that she was has left a legacy that will continue to live on through her family. A special thank you to Diana"s devoted PSWs Maggie and Crystal, Dr. Yap and the 8th floor west staff at Windsor Regional Hospital-Ouellette Campus especially Emily and both Shannons. Visitation will be held at WINDSOR CHAPEL (Central Chapel) 1700 Tecumseh Rd. East, 519-253-7234 on Friday April 13, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel. Interment to follow at Heavenly Rest Cemetery. The family is establishing an award in Diana"s memory in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Windsor. Cheques may be payable to the University of Windsor. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared at www.windsorchapel.com