Diane Elizabeth Sankey

It’s been 10 years since Diane passed and only now in my own advancing years can I fully express what she means to me:

She had grace and class in every situation we were in. Being with Diane was like having Liz Taylor on my arm, only better! Her magnetic personality and that sparkle in her eye was always noticed. She was always “on”.

Diane was into the Toronto theatre scene and classic 1940s, 50s movies on the big screen. She loved the live performances of The Nylons acapella and the Spitfire Band for their 1940’s big band sound.

In the 80’s, the Royal York Hotel Imperial Room hosted the Spitfire Band and others with dinner and dance. Diane being vivacious as ever, naturally caught the attention of the band and we had the pleasure of dancing in the blue light often. I was never more proud of her in all those many moments. Somehow, she always made me look good wherever we where.

I took this picture of Diane at her best when we visited her parents in Ottawa, fall 1984. It was a late nite, her parents retired upstairs, we talked, we laughed and flipped through a TV Guide and then that special look in her eyes; I knew I had to snap this picture. I will always remember her this way.

We lived large everyday, we did it all. She was ready for me, all I had to do was marry her and I failed. It is my only regret. For everything I am or ever could be, I owe it all to her. God bless my baby, Rest In Peace Diane

Diane,
I think of you often. We had many happy times together and enjoyed our overnighters when I was staying with you in Toronto.

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again......
May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.

Your friend,
Margaret Ferran

To Diane's Family,
I was shocked and saddened to find out that Diane had passed away. We were friends as young teenagers and sang together at St Andrew's United Church St Laurent often as a duet team. We reconnected on Classmates.com a few years ago . We did not correspond too often but when we did it was very meaningful. My last message came back and then I discovered this news.
Eric I did know you growing up but not your brother. I also knew your Mom well.
My thoughts and prayers are being sent to all the family at this time. I am so
sorry Diane's life was cut so short.
Sincerely Barbara Ford ( MacCarthy )

You were a ray of sunshine in my world, Diane. May we hear your wonderful voice as the rain dances upon water.

I am so saddened and shocked to hear this!!! Diane and I sang in the octet at St. Laurent High School back in the 60's and have been communicating since before our 2007 high school reunion. Unfortunately, we never managed to see each other in person since then so I'm thankful for our conversations. The memory I shared with her from high school days had nothing to do with our singing together ... it was her lesson on eating peanut butter and cheese sandwiches!! I had never heard of such a thing. We hoped to share peanut butter, cheese AND jam when we got together in the Toronto area. So, for Diane's family .... thank you for peanut butter, cheese, and Diane. I'm so sorry we'll not sing together again as we had hoped. KeriAnn Mahoney, December 8, 1944 (yup) Class of 61 A

I was saddened to hear of Diane's passing. We met in Montreal in the late 70s at the Arcadians Musical Theatre Society, and worked together on their production of "Gypsy". While we have not seen each other in many years, I have thought of Diane often and fondly. She was truly a wonderful woman and I was blessed with the opportunity of crossing paths with her.

I was so sorry to hear of Diane's passing at such an early age. I will always treasure my memory of her wonderful voice singing at my wedding in Montreal in 1969.

So sorry for your lose Mike and Sankey family , Heaven has a new singing voice !

I'll always cherish the wonderful times we had working together in Montreal and singing in the choir at Ephraim Scott. Your love and enthusiasm for the musical theatre was infectious and I sorely miss our trips to New York to see the latest shows. Dear Di, you will live on in my memories - your laughter, your beautiful smile and your love of life.

Diane
To a great friend and wonderful advocate for our Scottish Society. You enriched our lives and filled our gatherings with sweet music. Always the first to volunteer and always the last to leave, you have helped to maintain and build our society for the last 20 years. While we will share in the grief for one who has passed too soon, we will also hold fast to the lovely memories of your kindness and generosity that serve as an example for others to follow. Rest in peace dear friend.
Karen Macleod McCrimmon
President, Clan MacLeod Society of Central Ontario

Dear Diane, They say people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. For me, the reason and our season together will stay with me for a lifetime and I'm so grateful for that. Thanks dear friend.
I give this thought for you to keep
I am with you still. I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on the snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain

When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not think of me as gone
I am with you still in each new dawn
Native American Poem

You made my life a blessing, you made my life a pleasure.
You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. ~ Fluffy

When I think about Diane I remember these special words; do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, the hush of joy within your heart. For I am cradled in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars. I am within you; I am peace, love; I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me... with a smile and a sigh.
Yes my good friend Diane I will remember you fondly when we made our special trips to New York to view the musicals before they came to Toronto and especially sitting in the front row at Massey Hall the Sunday before Christmas as we sang Handel's Messiah, one more time. Yes my friend I will remember you.

Diney. My best friend. My mentor, teacher, confidante, sister. All those wonderful parodies we created together for the Star Trek conventions, Dr. Who and Beauty and the Beast. All the shows we did in Montreal. Our love of Big City Improv in Toronto. Those late night walks home, going over the day's events, laughing hysterically. We shared so many experiences. You left too soon. All my love.

“Is life a boon?” asked W.S. Gilbert in The Yeomen of the Guard. It certainly was for Diane! She packed everything into each day, working tirelessly for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society (especially for the Concert Group) and for Stage Centre Productions. I know that Jubilee United Church meant a lot to her too. Diane worked hard and always delivered the goods despite living with pain the entire time. She also had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Broadway musicals, which she loved even more than G & S. We always sat next to each other at Gilbert and Sullivan Society Board meetings and often chatted about musicals. I will miss her zestful enthusiasm – and those big earrings! Thanks, Diane. In your case, Death definitely called too soon…

Diane was easy to be with - outgoing and funny. She drew others to her and shared stories from her busy life filled with theatre and music. We were not done having fun, and I will miss her so much.

Diane's warmth of heart, infectious laugh and love of music will be sorely missed. So glad I had a chance to know her, so sorry her life ended too soon.

The passing of someone so very full of life is a shock, and to those of us that knew her, a sad and irreplaceable loss. For many years Diane was the life and soul of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society concert group, and through it she enriched the lives of many senior citizens in the Toronto area. She deserved better health and a longer life to match her own ebullient spirits, and there are many of us who will miss her very much indeed.

Your love of music and our shared love of earrings and big jewellery will always bring a smile to my face... You are missed.

Good bye, my friend. You taught me that "Everything I Ever Needed To Know, I Learned From Gilbert & Sullivan"

Diane, your conviction, your steadfastness, your wit and charm, your wonderful hospitality and welcome have impacted me greatly. When I first came to Jubilee you reached out with warm embrace and I felt community! I am honoured to have sung with you and shared many laughs along the way.

So sorry to lose you, Diane. We will miss you.

Good- Bye, dear friend. I only knew you a few years, but I feel privileged to have known you and sung with you in all our favourite Gilbert & Sullivan operettas! You were a joy to have in my life. We will all miss you very much!