Diana Leaney

On September 4th, 2026, Diana Leaney passed away at Crofton Manor after being ill for more than two years. She was predeceased by her parents, Evelyn Leaney (née Rutherford) and Jack Leaney. She is survived by her cousins Brian, David, Bill, Bruce, Wayne, Jan, Barb, Kate, Chris, Richard, Cathy, and Blair.

Born in Winnipeg, she moved to Vancouver as a young girl with her parents. Like her mother, she took up tap dancing at a young age and continued dancing well into her 70s. 

After working many summers at Safeway, she did several degrees at UBC and had a long and successful career as a French teacher at Crofton House. 

In her younger years, she spent many summers in Winnipeg, staying with her Uncle Al and Aunt Wanda, where she would have constant fun with cousins, aunts and uncles. She also made a few visits to France. After she retired, she would look forward to her annual trip to Seattle with her close friend Margaret (who passed away in 2022). 

Di also enjoyed gardening and was a member of the congregation at Saints Peter and Paul Parish. Church was an important part of her life. Her friends from church, Peter and Andrea, visited her weekly these past two years, which she and her family greatly appreciated. 

She also loved her pet poodles, who were constant companions and sources of joy to her. 

She had an incredible memory, remembering fine details about events or trips or evenings from many decades ago. Di’s attention to detail started when she was young as she thoroughly enjoyed sitting in at her mother’s tea parties, giving her insight into all the daily news. On the Rutherford side, Di became the source of family history and news since those early years. 

Her cousins wish to warmly thank Crofton House for all the care and comfort they gave Diana over the last two years. 

A funeral service will be held at on Tuesday October 6th at 11:30am at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, 1425 W 39th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1T2, followed by Entombment at Oceanview Burial Park at 1PM.