NOWELL (Forrest), Diane
It is with profound sorrow that the family of Diane (Forrest) Nowell announce her passing on April 12, 2024 in Halifax at the VG Hospital, age 66. Diane is the eldest child of Rita and Paul Forrest. She was born in Halifax and where she was raised, first in Rockingham, then later in Lower Sackville.
Diane was predeceased by both her parents and is survived by her loving family of husband, Steve; sister, Michelle Reid (Warren); brother, Blair Forrest (Paula); nephew, Dan Mcdonald (Rebecca); niece, Julianne Townley (Jeff and son Jackson); mother in law, Ann Nowell; sister in law, Susan Nowell; brother in law, Mike Nowell (Barb); nieces, Victoria Nowell (Tyler and daughter Zoe) and Katheryn Nowell; as well as her many cousins and extended family members.
Following high school, Diane attended the dental hygiene program at Dalhousie dental faculty and graduated in the class of 1977. She then embarked in a long practice of dental hygiene, the majority of which was at Mic Mac Dental Centre in Dartmouth. She revelled in seeing and treating her patients and took pride in her innate ability to sooth those who were nervous of a visit to the dentist. Diane practiced for 34 years before putting away her scalers and entering retirement. Following that, she looked forward to attending reunions with her former colleagues, typically at an “Ole Girls Lunch” as they affectionately refer to their gatherings.
Diane is a long time member of St. John Vianney church in Lower Sackville, now Holy Trinity, and where she has a further family. Diane and her mother Rita are long known for their closeness in attending services and functions together. Diane actively participated in such aspects of the church as being a reader and a member of the choir, committees, and faith groups where she so enjoyed being with the many close friends she has there.
At home, Diane enjoyed such activities as cooking, sewing, and gardening. She looked forward to regular social gatherings with her friends, “The Coffee Girls”. Outside of her professional life, Diane had a penchant for performing. She discovered this at an early age when in first grade she was selected to open a class production. From there she often found herself on stage in school drama and variety productions. That followed in later life with roles in church dinner theatre productions with such theatrical groups as the “Mixed Nuts Players”, “Just for Fun(d)” and “Eventurous Theatre”. Along with satisfying her artistic side, these performances also brought her many close friends in these groups.
The same is true for her other performing passion which Diane found in the art of belly dancing. She participated in that for some 20 years, first with Belindance and then Laura Selenzi Serpentine studios. In addition to dancing, this interest also provided a further creative outlet for Diane’s sewing abilities which allowed her to create her own dance outfits – all carefully and beautifully hand crafted with fine details from the “Queen of Sequins”. Accordingly. she became fondly known as “Shiny Dancer” in addition to her Di-dee-di moniker. Steve often joked with her that if ever he needed to find her, it was only necessary to follow the trail of loose sequins.
When it came to her performing chops, Diane liked to note that she has appeared on Broadway. That was in June, 2000 at the Booth Theatre in New York and when she and Steve came to the stage at the behest of the incomparable Dame Edna herself. After a bit of fun repartee with them, and when Diane announced that it was her birthday, Dame Edna then led the audience in singing a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Diane and with some of Dame Edna’s signature gladioli in hand.
Diane enjoyed travel and together with Steve they visited and explored many countries across different parts of the world, often with kindred spirit travel companions Susan and Richard. Travel also satisfied Diane’s love of food and trying different dishes. She was proud to note she would try (almost) anything once, and twice if she liked it. Diane’s travels also included memorable trips to the Holy Land and to Medjugorje with her church family.
A big thank you to the many people who have offered prayers, words of support, acts of kindness, along with home and hospital visits to Diane over the course of her illness, in particular to Madelaine who faithfully conveyed Diane to her many chemo appointments. Special thanks go out to Dr. Ravi and the oncology team, Wavy and the team on the 11th floor chemo unit, and to Dr. Krueger-naug and the palliative care team on 7A who all looked after Diane with such great care and compassion, and to whom Diane’s family are eternally grateful.
A visitation will be held at Atlantic Funeral Home, Lower Sackville on April 23rd from 6-8 P.M. with words of remembrance at 7 P.M. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity in Lower Sackville, April 24th at 11:30 A.M., with reception following in the church hall.
Arrangements are in the care of Atlantic Funeral Home, Lower Sackville. Online condolences can be found at the following: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/atlantic-sackville.html
Donations may be made in Diane’s memory to Operation Smile Canada, or to Holy Trinity Church. Flowers are welcome.