Skip to content

Diana Margaret Schmidt (nee Bredenberg)

August 13, 2017

T7O6N6J9-20170926114913

Diana Margaret Schmidt (nee Bredenberg)

June 25, 1940-August 13, 2017

No words can express the chaos of emptiness we feel at the loss of our beloved sweetheart, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and dear friend. 

She was the centre of our universe, the one who held us all together  with her warm, caring and comforting personality. 

She was the ultimate hostess, consummate  chef, gifted knitter  and perfect travelling companion.  Although she considered herself to be a Ladysmith girl, she actually spent her first two years in the Yukon where she was born, and her body thermostat was set for cool climes, unlike her daughters who prefer the tropics.  

Diana preferred to travel in the Spring or Fall and mainly to European countries. 

Twice she crossed our country, in 1970 with a tent trailer, three young daughters and a Scottish terrier, and in 2001 with her husband in a Bigfoot trailer, giving out socks she had knitted for each person visited on the way. 

She enjoyed seeing relatives in Scotland and Sweden and sharing travel with friends from BC, Ontario and Quebec.

She made friends and renewed friendships  constantly, including the 1958  graduating class of Ladysmith High who hold several luncheons a year and include spouses. 

She endured the rigors and indignity  of Crohns Disease for nearly 40 years and in the  last few months fought stoically the tumour  that resisted two surgeries and five weeks of radiation  at the Victoria Cancer Clinic, only to spend her final six days in hospital where she slipped away quietly, surrounded by her family. 

She leaves to mourn: Paul, her husband of nearly 55 years; sister Jane Meldrum (Stuart); daughters: Kari Hushagen {Robin), Paula Gareau (Rupert), Lisa Perry (Dwayne); six grand-children: Brennan (Ceilidh), Maxwell  (Ashley), Alexia (Tony), Desman (Riley), Madeline  (Bailey) and Jesse. 

Diana did not quite get to see her new great-grand-daughter Isabella, but rejoiced at many pictures of the little princess. 

A celebration of life was held Saturday, August 19 in our much-loved little condo.  

We wish to thank especially Doctors White and Schulson who kept her in good health for many years and who were part of the team at the Family Practice Clinic where Diana served as a nurse for most of her working career.  

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Canadian Cancer Society would be much appreciated.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.