Phyllis Diane Scott

1940 - 2018

Phyllis Diane (Moncrieff) Scott passed away in her home in Abbotsford, BC on Sept 15, 2018 at age 78 due to complications of osteoporosis and COPD.  She is survived by her daughters Kathryn Scott (Aaron Cunningham) and Jennifer Scott (Edward Camargos) and grandchildren Dom Lebrun, Julian Scott, Melissa Scott - Cunningham, Hazel Cunningham, Jolie Cunningham, Sebastian Camargos and Lua Camargos. Diane was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1940, the only child of Phyllis (Ford) and David Moncrieff.  Married to Douglas Walter Scott from 1963 - 1997 who she loved to the end.  Diane attended Vaughan Road Elementary School and Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute, earned her BSc Nursing from the University of Toronto in 1962, and completed a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Central Michigan in 1994.  

Initially a VON, Diane taught obstetrics, community and psychiatric nursing at Lakehead University School of Nursing before joining Confederation College with positions in Continuing Education and Health, Director of Curricular Design and Development, Director of Community Education Programs and finally Director International.  Career highlights include development and delivery of distance education programs in remote communities throughout Northern Ontario.  This led to international program development for public and private sectors in health and business that took her to Columbia, Mexico, the Solomon Islands, Costa Rica, Jamaica, India, China, Singapore, Thailand, and Ghana.  

Diane contributed significantly to her community.  As Chairman of the Board of the Thunder Bay Health Unit, Diane was instrumental in securing funding for building the Thunder Bay District Health Unit on Balmoral St.  Diane was passionate and diplomatic in getting this done; as stated in the Chronicle Journal, “Scott said she'd rather have the city co-operate freely, because one doesn't like to make an enemy.”  Diane served as a Board member with the Thunder Bay District Family and Children's Services, the Thunder Bay Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.  Diane was appointed as member of the Provincial Advisory Committee on Nursing Education, and served as President of the Association of Ontario Boards of Health. 

Diane was always quick to open her heart and her doors to troubled youth, international students, stray animals and families in need.  She spent countless hours campaigning for the Progressive Conservative Party, the Humane Society and volunteered for a crisis line.  She was a long term Jaycette and a committed groupie to the Thunder Bay City Band and Fat Tom's Bottom of the Barrel Band.

Throughout it all, Diane could be seen rushing around with a cup of black coffee and a cigarette.  Her feisty spirit, warmth of heart and quick wit were shared with many a friend throughout the world.  Diane had some amazing stories to share from her car rally days with Doug Scott,  the long drives to the cottage with countless pets and kids in tow, and spoiling her grandchildren with chocolate treats at midnight.  She kept her humour and wits to the end.  As she said not long ago, “It's a bummer getting old.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Chanterelle on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted by the Thunder Bay Community Foundation via www.canadahelps.org