Kel M Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Hi! As promised, please find the text of the essay on Mom that Canada's Globe and Mail (link below) published today. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051110/LIVES10/TPObituaries/ I'm so proud of her and am thrilled that people who knew her (and many who didn't) may happen upon this article today. Thanks for your continued support! Kel __________________ Dianne Elizabeth Bishop Mom, sister, friend, teacher, golfer. Born November 7, 1945, in Bristol, NB. Died May 24 in Montreal of lung cancer, aged 59. Dianne Bishop had a great many passions: her children, her classroom “kids”, her friendships, chocolate and golf! On the November day she was born, the doctor sat snoring in a chair by the bed, while her mother and a midwife delivered her — an auspicious beginning. Born to Robert Bishop and Elizabeth Davidson, she was the fourth of ten children. She excelled at sports and basketball in particular, co-captaining her university squad in the early sixties. Dianne was a born educator. She delighted in her more than 30 years of teaching and retained an enthusiasm for education until her retirement in June, 1997. She was a kind and thoughtful teacher, patient with children requiring extra attention and always respectful of their unique characters. When one of her students needed to spend an extra year under her tutelage, she would kindly arrange for a special lunch break at McDonald’s to gently break the news and to frame the extra year as an opportunity to be her classroom assistant. Dianne was equally sensitive to the fact that many children lived in poverty and gave selflessly of her time and compassion to see them fed and dressed warmly. She was among a caring group of teachers who volunteered to make Christmas baskets of food and gifts for disadvantaged students and their families. Her own children often learned of her generosity from others who had witnessed it along the way. Discretion and compassion were just her way—Dianne was not the flashy sort. Dianne was also famous for her love of chocolate. At Christmastime, my brother and I would be wide-eyed at the volume of chocolate her students would bring to her. She deftly found a way to incorporate her passion into the curriculum with a chocolate unit that you can only imagine was a hit with her students—particularly when the unit ending activity consisted of a chocolate fondue for everyone. After putting in a long day in the classroom, Dianne would devote additional time to tutoring us— her own children— to ensure that we had a better grasp of the principles of math or science. As teenagers, my brother and I simply didn’t appreciate the extent of her sacrifice. We did, however, learn just how stubborn she could be when she set her mind to it. After her retirement, Dianne was a full-time golfer. Like the teacher she was, she was methodical in her approach to the game. Out early and often, playing two rounds a day; she considered each shot before making it, consistently worked to correct mistakes and she practiced, practiced, practiced. She was patient with others in giving advice, communicating her passion for the sport she excelled at. Dianne's retirement was interrupted by the diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer on December 18, 2003. Ever modest, she seemed genuinely surprised by the flood of love and support she received from her friends and family in the form of cards, phone calls and favourite foods, never ceasing to marvel at how so many people rallied around her. Despite living with this terrible illness she became convinced that she was the luckiest woman in the world — humbling us all in the process. Though she could not control the outcome of her disease, Mom made the choice to approach living with cancer with gratitude for each day. She chose to confront her fears, to forge her own path and to live and experience every waking hour fully. She did not run away from the roadblocks in her way, instead choosing to see them as opportunities and revelling in the little victories. She found great strength and much happiness—teaching us all profound life lessons along the way. Kelsey MacTavish Kelsey is Dianne’s daughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Kel, Very nice, very touching. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Did she also tutor you in the grasp of writing? That was wonderful! I am sure I would have really liked her. Wish I had met her when I lived in Montreal. Thanks for sharing. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Thanks, Kel. I feel that I know more about who your Mom was. Beautiful! Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Very moving....You and all who came in touch with her were blessed...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geri Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Beautiful - I'm sorry I didn't know her. Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Kelsey, what a great lady, how lucky you are to have had her as your Mother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Kelsey, What a beautiful tribute to you mother. Well done! She sure was a special lady. gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Very well written Kel. I learned so much about you mom. She really was a special lady. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 What beautiful tribute to your Mom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindseysmom Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Kel, You are a good daughter Kel. So sweet. Best Wishes, Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 I loved your tribute to your mother -- makes me feel that I knew her -- and regret that I didn't. Thank you for sharing, and inspiring, us with this. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 I love your mother! Thank you for letting us know her. I love your name, too. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fall54 Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 Kel, That was a real tribute to you're wonderful Mom. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. God Bless you, Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 Any mother OR father would be proud of such a well-composed tribute, Kel! Beautifully written. You mom & I could have had such fun playing golf together. Someday....we still will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted November 12, 2005 Share Posted November 12, 2005 Wonderful job Kel and such a beautiful tribute to your mom. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 What a wonderful, wonderful piece, Kel. Your Mother surely was very special. Thank you for sharing just a little bit of her with all of us. For sure she is feeling very proud about now. Great job. Hope you are doing well. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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