Diane Louise Rogers

Diane Rogers

August 27, 1949
December 18, 2021



Diane Louise Rogers passed away peacefully in her sleep and went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Diane is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, William (Bill) Rogers; her father, John Rorison; her sister, Joy (Jim) Loosli; sister-in-law, Lynne (Jim) Gollner; brother-in-law, Robert (Sue) Rogers; sister-in-law, Judy Rogers and many nieces and nephews. Diane was predeceased by her mother, Amelia Rorison and brother-in-law, Ken Rogers.


Diane was born on August 27, 1949 and shortly after birth was adopted into the loving home of John and Amelia Rorison in Burnaby. From early childhood, Diane was a force to be reckoned with. At just three years old, Diane wanted to take piano lessons. Her family could not afford this luxury; however, they found a place she could practice and at five years of age, she was so determined to learn to play that she walked several kms from their home in Burnaby to her teacher's place every day to practice on their piano and take lessons. She practiced with fervor and excellence and over the years, she became an accomplished pianist and played for many Intervarsity events, Youth for Christ rallies, concerts, weekly church services, weddings, and more.


Because funds were scarce in the Rorison home, Diane's mother would take her to the local second-hand store where they would buy expensive outfits for cents on the dollar. Together, they would take them apart and use the material to construct tailored clothing for themselves. Diane always said she was one of the best-dressed kids in school, but for a fraction of the cost. Diane became an excellent seamstress and she continued to use this skill, sewing many bridal gowns including her own, bridesmaid dresses for herself and numerous friends, baby and toddler outfits for friends, and curtains and décor for Ness Lake Bible Camp.


Upon graduating from Burnaby South Senior High, she attended UBC and BCIT. She moved to Kelowna for work where she forged new territory by becoming the first female Health Inspector in BC. After her six-month contract, she continued working as a Health Inspector for the provincial government in Princeton.


Diane met Bill Rogers while attending BCIT and although his interest was immediate, Diane was not easily smitten. After a two-year courtship, Bill asked Diane to marry her in a McDonald's parking lot. She said yes, but demanded that he ask her dad for permission and propose more suitably. Bill did this at Grouse Mountain and he and Diane were married on November 3, 1973.


After their honeymoon, Diane moved to Prince George where Bill lived and worked in the financial services industry. She took on the position of Health Inspector for the federal government medical services covering the territory from Clinton to the Yukon border and from the Alberta border to Smithers.


Diane travelled this vast area implementing and monitoring public health protocols. It was no small endeavor to travel the roads of BC alone in the early 70's, especially for a young woman. However, Diane took this on with the same determination she had displayed many times growing up. She knew how to change tires, how to get herself unstuck, how to get herself out of tight situations, and how to survive in the back country. During this time, Diane also inspected ships as they were ferried into port, much to the consternation of the captains who were nervous about having a woman on board! She had powers to quarantine, but was very careful with it as she knew how serious it was to restrict people's freedoms and so only ever quarantined sick people.


After a series of close calls on the road, the decision was made that her travelling life would end, and Diane quit her Health Inspection job to teach high school math and science as a substitute teacher in Prince George. Her standard greeting was, "Hi, my name is Mrs. Rogers. Yes, I'm married to Mr. Rogers. No, not that Mr. Rogers." Her engaging manner and ability to teach meant she was loved by all, in high demand, and teachers would book her to cover their absences months in advance.


Diane joined Bill's financial services office in the 1980s. She took on the challenge of learning her husband's business and brought excellence to this area of their life through many hours of research and technical analysis. Their clients were blessed with Diane's ability to make each one feel like they were the only client that mattered.


Bill and Diane did not have children of their own, but on several occasions, they took children into their home pouring love and dedication on them as if they were their own. They also welcomed many friends and travelling evangelists who needed a place to stay for a while.


Diane gave generously but also very thoughtfully. She listened intently to the likes and dislikes of others and so she had an uncanny ability to find gifts that were exactly right.


Diane's attention to detail and dedication to excellence were evident whether she was the Easter bunny, planning a Christmas event, church event, renovations to their home, a board meeting, or documentation for a business audit. Wedding and baby showers were exquisitely planned, with every detail perfect. The invitations, hors d'oeuvres, decorations, gifts and games were all carefully chosen to make the guest of honour feel special. When Diane was in charge of planning the décor for a church banquet with a Roman theme, the space was transformed into a Roman empire on less than $100. It was not uncommon for her to spend hours writing and rewriting important business communication so that it contained the correct information clearly, concisely, and portrayed the exact message she intended with the appropriate degree of punch.


Diane believed strongly in giving back to the community she called home. She served as Director and Chairman of the Board for the Prince George Regional Hospital. Diane was instrumental in the beginning of two organizations that we now take for granted; Diane was a founding member of and President for both the Prince George Hospice and Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. Most recently she served in the positions of Board Member, President, and Past President of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra.


In later years, an injury kept Diane from making the music she enjoyed so dearly, but her love for classical music lived on leading to her involvement on the PGSO Board. Together with Bill, they hosted a number of visiting musicians and hosted exclusive concerts, one featuring Elizabeth Pitcarin on the red violin and a second featuring Leslie Dela, playing The Goldberg Variation on the beautiful grand piano that adorned the living room in their home. She and Bill also sponsored performances of the Requiem and the bi-annual Messiah to showcase local talent and to bring beautiful music to our community.


Diane had a zest for life, a sparkle in her eyes, and a love for laughter! Whether it was at herself or something else, didn't matter. She would find something to laugh at each day and didn't mind sharing hilarious or embarrassing experiences to share laughter with others. Telling others about the time she fell backwards off a piano bench onto the drum set in the orchestra pit, or playing piano in front of a huge crowd and only later realizing that her skirt was inside out are just two examples of her ability to enjoy a laugh at her own expense. She enjoyed fishing, initially with her dad and later with Bill and holds the family record for a 38-pound spring salmon. She also loved her pets, especially her Great Danes because this was the closest domestic animal to her truly favorite animal, a cougar, which Bill would not allow!


When Diane was growing up, she loved spending time with her dad studying eschatology (the study of the end of the world.) This passion did not abate, and she followed a number of prophets and her keenest interest was to see how God was using current events to fulfill the prophecies she had studied. Diane had an appreciation for beauty and value here on earth; however, one of her greatest treasures was the promises in the Bible that this world is not our final home.


She wanted to live for 120 years, but that was not to be. Her fervent prayers have been answered; she has been healed from the debilitating mobility and pain she had suffered for years. She is dancing in heaven without pain and praising God whom she adored.


Diane's passing is a tremendous loss to her family friends, and her community. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of knowing her. This incredibly generous woman poured her life into others and now she has reached her reward. "Well done, good and faithful servant…" Matthew 25:21.


There will be a private graveside service for Diane and then a Celebration of Life in Spring or Summer, 2022.