Diane Aboud (nee Nairne)
Sept 25, 1945 – Sept 26, 2026
Diane passed away peacefully at home in Ottawa shortly after her 60th Wedding Anniversary and her 81st birthday.Her family were at her side as they were throughout her courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
She leaves to mourn her husband Ray, and children David (Jazmin), Susan (Aron), Brian, Grandson Olafur (Oli) and GrandDog Freyja. She was pre-deceased by her Mother Edna and Father Ronald George (Din).She also leaves behind her Brother Craig (Carole) and Sister Deb (Blair), as well as many nieces, nephews & countless others she loved so dearly.
Diane grew up in Snowflake, Manitoba, a tiny community of 47 souls on the Manitoba-North Dakota border, attending the two room school there through grades 1 to 8, completing High School at Pilot Mound.
She graduated from the St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing in Winnipeg and began a more than 40 year career as an OR Nurse in Winnipeg and at Ottawa’s Riverside Hospital, retiring in 2013.
She met her future husband Ray in 1964 at an “exuberant” Grey Cup party in Winnipeg.They were married less than two years later at the Manitou United Church before settling in Winnipeg.
During the early years of their marriage, Diane enjoyed canoeing and fishing trips to remote lakes with Ray, and dinners with friends. Her encouragement and support helped her husband complete University degrees in Winnipeg and Ottawa.
Kindness, caring and decency were Diane’s calling cards as the winds and whims of life and careers took the family to Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Halifax and back to Winnipeg in 1980. Their three children were born in different cities:David in Winnipeg, Susan in Toronto and Brian in Halifax.They settled in Ottawa in 1985 on Ingram Crescent.
Diane made lifelong friends everywhere including the hospitals she served as an OR Nurse. At times she was a Girl Guide & Beavers leader, among the many other activities she did alongside her children.She was also a top fundraiser for the MS Society of Ottawa.
She enjoyed the company of friends and neighbours, long walks along the Ottawa River, reading mystery novels into the night, playing cribbage with her family, simple pub lunches on their Anniversaries, and the company of Quincy and Casey, the two shelties who were part of her family for many years. She enjoyed music of every kind especially Elvis, The Beatles, Tony Bennett, Roy Orbison & the Traveling Wilburys. She also enjoyed live entertainment such as Les Miserables and other Broadway shows, live concerts by Billy Joel and others, and performances by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
And she loved to travel, first with their children on memorable camping trips in Manitoba and Ontario and the “relaxing” family treks to Florida theme parks.Later, Diane and Ray found pleasure in Caribbean cruises and assorted adventures in New England, New York, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Hawaii –as well as longer trips to the UK, Paris and Rome.
She will be remembered as a true Life Force, a source of compassion for those who were suffering in any way. She personified the Golden Rule as an Operating Room Nurse and a human being.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of the wonderful healthcare providers (Doctors, Nurses, PSW’s & Co-ordinators) for their compassion and support during the last several months.A special Thanks to Dr. Jim Watterson, The Ottawa Cancer Centre, Carefor & Ontario Health at Home.And a very special Thank You to Dr. Jennifer Brodeur of Bytown Palliative Medicine for helping Diane to receive the best possible care at home.Finally, a heartfelt Thank You to all of Diane’s incredible friends, colleagues & neighbours for their love & kindness to Diane and our Family.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no burial service or funeral.Her ashes will rest with her family.A Celebration of Diane’s Life will be held on Sunday October 25th from 12:00 – 3:00 pm at the Mill Street Brew Pub in Ottawa.
Those wishing to honour Diane’s life and work may do so by with a contribution in her name to the Canadian Cancer Society, MS Canada, the Ottawa Food Bank or Carefor.
“Nothing stays the same
The World is in flux always
This is its gift
This is its burden too”
This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home's or family's consent.
Sympathy Messages
I love you so much Mom. You were and always will be the Rock of our Family. Your Spirit will live on in all of us ❤️
May my support warm your heart
- Brian Aboud, on
October 2, 2026
You were my best friend and the most kind, selfless and loving person I know. Words can't describe how much you'll be missed. I love you more than anything Mom ❤️💔
- Susan Aboud, on
October 2, 2026
Dearest Ray, Bryan,David and Susan....we are so very sad to have lost such a wonderful friend and neighbor....Our love support and sincerest condolences remain with you all
Anne and Dwight Delahunt
- Dwight and Anne Delahunt, on
October 2, 2026
Rest in peace Diane, you were always the shining light that made our Riv family smile so lucky to have crossed paths and worked with the kindest funniest soul. Love ya Diane xx
- Tracie Lafreniere, on
October 2, 2026
Thinking of you, Ray, Brian and your whole family. Our deepest condolences!
Roger & Lise
- Roger & Lise Rocque, on
October 2, 2026
Deepest condolences to Diane’s family. She was a lovely lady and you will miss her. I am glad that she spent her last days at home with the people she loved, you have honoured her with that gift.
May my support warm your heart
- Kelly Seward, on
October 2, 2026
Sincere sympathy to all of you, Diane was such a vital caring person and wonderful friend.She will be sadly missed but never forgotten in the many lives she touched.God Bless you all.
A contribution as a form of condolence
- Pat & Claude Gagnon (Duerinskx), on
October 2, 2026
What a wonderful tribute to a most amazing woman. Diane was a kind lady who cared deeply for her family. As our sister-in-law, she always took the time to reach out and connect with us. Di had a quick wit and a great sense of humour. She had a heart of gold, always ensuring no one was left out. We will miss you dearly Di!
- Greg Aboud and Sharen McDermit, on
October 2, 2026
Diane - you have been my dear friend for so many years. What a privilege it has been. You are the most loving and compassionate person I have ever known. And along the way, you somehow made sure that each one of our family who needed medical care got the best attention possible to ease their fears.
Ray, David, Susan and Brian, we mourn your heart-breaking loss. Diane’s loving spirit will always be with you.
Sending our love,
Roy, Brian, Mark, Mike and Liz
May my support warm your heart
- The Shultis’, on
October 3, 2026
We shall miss a loving, considerate dear friend. We shall miss you Diane. You spent your life in the health care system as broken as it is, caring for and helping fix others then you could not be fixed. A sad day for all the family and friends.
- Ralph and Doreen Williams, on
October 3, 2026
Our deepest condolences to Ray, Brian, Susan and David.
A wonderful tribute to such a dear friend.
So many great memories over the years.
I will is our weekly chats.
Gisele and Bill Cowling
- Bill and Gisele Cowling, on
October 3, 2026
Ray, Brian, Susan and David, I am so sorry for your loss. Diane will be long remembered for her big heart, her friendliness and her kindness, and for her dedication and professionalism.
- Ruth Gaskill, on
October 3, 2026
Diane, it has been such an honour and privilege to be your friend and neighbour. I miss you terribly . Ray , David ,Sue & Brian ,what a heartbreaking loss for all of you but what a gift you gave her keeping her close for her last days surrounded by by all of you
May my support warm your heart
- Alma & Andre Matte, on
October 3, 2026
Diane was a loving and caring soul. We'll miss her deeply. We were fortunate to have known her.
- Alan and Jean, on
October 3, 2026
My deepest condolences to all of you. I was fortunate enough to have her in my life through the friendship I have with Sue. I was always welcomed with a warm smile and open heart. Through difficult teen years to adulthood Diane was always such a good, kind and exceptionally caring person. May you rest in peace amongst the angels that you are now a part of.
May my support warm your heart
- Carrie Whitehead, on
October 3, 2026
Dear Ray and family, my deepest condolences on your loss. It has been many years since I last saw Diane but I'll never forget her radiant smile, humour and her kind and caring personality. Heaven has gained an angel.
A tree is planted in memory of the deceased
- Britt Newell, on
October 4, 2026
Diane was an amazing, friendly, warm compassionate person and the very best sister in law anyone could ever wish for. Always there to help or just listen. She will always be missed in so many ways.
May my support warm your heart
- Carole Nairne, on
October 5, 2026
As an anesthesiologist I had the pleasure of working with Dianne at the Riverside for 15 years. And it truly was a pleasure! Dianne was an excellent nurse: knowledgeable, experienced, efficient and good under pressure. On one occasion we had an extremely serious airway emergency, probably one Dianne had not seen in years, but it didn't matter. She performed incredibly well and significantly contributed to a good outcome. I was so impressed and am forever grateful that she was in the room with us that day! Dianne's personal side was just as admirable as her professional one. She was positive, good-natured, kind, humorous and always smiling She was so good with the patients, always comforting and reassuring. Dianne was truly a ray of sunshine in the OR. She was a wonderful work colleague and friend. My deepest condolences to Ray and all the family. Dianne was truly a special person and I can only imagine how much she will be missed.
- Larry Byford, on
October 6, 2026
Ray, David, Susan and Brian, I am so sorry for your loss. Diane was such a beautiful soul, she was always kind, sweet and loving. I loved her very much and I know how much she loved all of you. Jack and I are sending so much love to you all during this painful time. Love you all.
- Melanie McEwen, on
October 6, 2026
I had the pleasure of working with Diane at the Riv OR for almost 10years. Diane taught me much not only about the OR but also about humour and kindness in the workplace. My sincere condolences to Ray and family. Diane will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.
A tree is planted in memory of the deceased
- Kerry Cook, on
October 11, 2026
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