DIANE LOUISE GILDAY

(nee Sinclair) April 11, 1940 - January 14, 2025 Surrounded by family, Diane passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. She was the beloved wife for 54 years of David Lorne Gilday (1940-2019), cherished mother of Sean (Jane Caskey), Neil (Kristi Syron), Keith (Regan) and devoted grandmother of James, Ellen, Bridget, Scarlett, Walker, Sam, and Lulu who all loved her very much. Diane was predeceased by her parents Robert and Irene Sinclair and her brother Gregory Sinclair. Diane is the much-loved sister of Marilynne Sinclair, sister-in-law to Brent Holden and Kateri Lanthier, and dear aunt of Nicholas, Julia and William Sinclair. She is fondly remembered by Cathy and James Clubb and by their children Jamie and Wendy. We will all miss Diane's positive energy, and engaging personality. Growing up in Montreal, Diane earned her Bachelor of Arts in History at McGill University and went on to complete her Bachelor of Education at City University of London, England. This led to a high school teaching position at Malcolm Campbell in Montreal; a school at which her sister taught, her mother was the assistant librarian, and her brother a student. It was at McGill where she met David, who would become the love of her life. They enjoyed much of the 1960s living in Montreal with much studying, work, and socializing building up to the summer of love and Expo 67. She then moved with David to Winnipeg for his medical residency and then on to Baltimore for his further medical studies. After one more short stay in Winnipeg, Diane and David moved to Toronto in 1972 and established their home base, surrounding themselves with great friends and family. By 1974 the family of five was complete. Once her family was established in Toronto, Diane returned to teaching through English as a Second Language programs where she became loved by her Italian, Greek, and Japanese students. Not one to give up learning, she also completed her Master of Arts in Canadian History at the University of Toronto and continued high school teaching at what is now the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. She was also the Accounting Manager at Toronto Nuclear Medical Services where she worked with her husband and close friends. Luckily for her husband David, Diane grew to love skiing in Quebec's Eastern Townships. Skiing led to family trips to Austria, Park City, Killington, Whiteface and many other resorts in Europe, and North America. Locally, she loved to ski with her family and friends at Devils Glen where she braved the icy slopes to do adult racing and was known for her fantastic picnic lunches. An avid runner, Diane was often spotted running her favourite routes in Moore Park and Rosedale. Her running prowess allowed her to join a road racing team, and she participated in many 10 km road races in the 1980s, where she was often on the podium for her age group. Diane later became an enthusiastic golfer, joining The Toronto Hunt, the Mad River Golf Club in Creemore, and the Mid-Ocean Club in Bermuda. In Toronto, her weekly bridge games led to many lifetime friendships. Additionally, she was a keen tennis player often playing with friends at the Toronto Badminton and Racquet Club. Diane also loved theatre and for over thirty years enjoyed organizing an annual group trip to the Shaw Festival that included picnics, wine tasting, and spending time with great friends. More than anything else Diane loved to be around family. Whether it was spending time with her family and friends at the 'farm' in the Mulmur hills or going to see her grandchildren compete in their various sporting and school activities, she always made an effort to stay connected to her family. The family would like to thank Amelita Solis and Ludy Rimando for their tender care and would also like to thank the Dunfield Residence team for their loving support. There will be a celebration of Diane's life for family and friends at the Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club, 44 Price St, Toronto on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 2-5 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane's memory to the Parkinson Society Canada would be much appreciated. Call 1-800-565-3000 or visit https://donate.parkinson.ca/site/Donation. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com