Dianne Anitra Gustafson: Born, Edmonton, Alberta, May 23, 1951.  Died July 18, 2023, Maple Ridge Hospital, Maple Ridge, BC

Dianne’s schooling included an Associate Diploma in Arts, 1972, from Trinity Western University; a BA from UBC in 1984; her BC College of Teachers Teaching Certificate in 1995; and an MA from UBC in 2001.

Dianne worked as a uniquely gifted graphic designer for some of Canada’s premier printing and design firms, including: Fleming Graphics, and world-renowned Friesen Press in Altona, MB. In 1976 she joined the Community of Celebration where she lived in the College of the Holy Spirit attached to the Cathedral of the Isles on Great Cumbrae Island, Scotland, continuing to work in the graphics department there contributing to the design of the many Fisherfolk recording album covers (back when Vinyl LPs ruled).

She returned home to resume her teaching career and to live with and care for her father and mother until their respective deaths.  Her mother, Olive Juliet Gustafson, lived to 99 years and seven months, crediting Dianne’s care for her, in large part, for her longevity.

Dianne is survived by her older brother, Dr. David L. Gustafson, her younger sister, Shelley R Friesen, her nephews: Aaron, Christopher, Nathaniel and Joel, and nieces: Johanna and Linnea, and grandnephews Kolbe, Braeden, Abey, Shepherd, Arlo and her grandniece, Natalia.  Dianne, many years ago, had wanted to adopt an African child, Charles, but the choir with whom Charles performed prized his talent too greatly to let him go, so Dianne continued to support him, the choir and a number of African causes throughout her lifetime.

Although she bravely battled her cancer until the very end, as a committed Christian, Dianne was at peace with the prospect of her death, embracing the Will of God, whatever it held for her.  She held tight to the promises of scripture, and will know the reality of this one:

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. A graveside burial and committal service will be held at Heritage Gardens Cemetery, 19082 – 16th Avenue, South Surrey at 10:30am on August 15th to be followed by a memorial service picnic in the park at Sendall Gardens 20210 – 50th Avenue in Langley at 12 noon.