A love of people: Dianne's life was remembered at a service at the Bushmere Arms last week. Picture by Paul Rickard
“Wherever Di was, there was sure to be fun and laughter.”
A few themes stood out about Dianne Saunders at her send-off last week — her sense of fun, ready smile and that twinkle in her eye.
There was applause at the end of the service, and one speaker came dressed as a pink unicorn.
Dianne would have loved the gathering at the Bushmere Arms, said long-time friend Norman Maclean, who led the service.
“I can see her smiling from ear to ear at this gathering.”
He said Dianne radiated warmth, care and compassion for others.
Songs from her favourites — Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Annie Lennox — were played between tributes from different speakers. The service ended with the Monty Python number “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, which Dianne had always specified was to be played at her farewell, said Norman.
Dianne passed away on January 30, aged 73.
Norman said Dianne had time for everyone, nothing was too much trouble and she took many people under her wing.
Children's wellbeing was always a priority. For 21 years Dianne headed Barnardos in Gisborne from her first day on April 6, 1999. Her retirement in May last year coincided with Covid-19 Alert Level 2 conditions.
Even so, a well-planned secret farewell saw two socially-distanced groups of 10 surprise Dianne at work early on the morning of her last day at Barnardos. The “flash mob” of singers sang modified lyrics to the Stevie Wonder classic, I Just Called To Say I Love You. The gesture brought her and many there to tears.
Dianne was also on the board of Tairawhiti Abuse Intervention Network (TAIN), which brought social services together to combat family violence, with Dianne representing Barnardos. Dianne continued to hold volunteer roles on the board of Supergrans Aotearoa and the Welfare Civil Defence committee.
Thirty-five years ago Dianne found herself in her element with her job at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Copenhagen. Her role was proof editor and sub-editor of their publications, and then head of department.
In May last year, Dianne told the Herald she had always loved words.
“My mother said when I was a kid, I would often read the dictionary. I'm still the same — every time I come across a word I don't know I look it up.”
Her mother Joy sent recipes over to Dianne in Denmark, and she would bake Kiwi treats for the canteen at WHO, the proceeds going to help her son Bret go to theatre school in Britain.
Dianne raised Bret on her own in Gisborne, with the support of good friends and family.
When Bret was 14, they travelled around Greece and Europe.
They spent time going to museums and art galleries, and Bret said he could not have asked for a better education.
What was supposed to be a one year OE extended to 11 years, with Bret going to school in Britain while Dianne found the coolest apartment for them in Denmark — right by a canal — where he returned in the holidays.
Bret said his mum loved to travel but was a Gizzy girl at heart.
“She had a love of people and a desire to make things better.”
His mother also gave the best presents — “because Mum took the time to know you and what you loved”.
Long-time friend Jean Johnston said Dianne was a courageous woman with a ready smile and a twinkle in her eye.
Dianne was a practical woman who met life head-on, epitomising optimism and resilience, she said.
“A single mum with a mortgage, you just got on with life and it was always full of laughter.
“Di, always true, kind, respectful, fun and one in a million. A cherished friend who I will always miss.”
The two met at Gisborne Girls' High School in the mid-'70s, when both were teachers there. Dianne helped coach girls' soccer, and also helped with the school theatre productions.
She grew up in Whataupoko. Her parents were Joy and Selwyn Gane. She left school halfway through the sixth form to work as the receptionist at Gisborne's 2XG radio station.
After a few years there Dianne decided to go travelling. She and a friend hitchhiked around the South Island in the late ‘60s, before Dianne travelled to Spain, where she settled in Barcelona for six months.
She returned from Europe in 1971. She went to teachers' college, and secured a job at Girls' High School in the mid-'70s.
The travel bug bit again in the mid-'80s, when she and Bret travelled to Europe.
Dianne returned to Gisborne in 1996 and bought the home in Clifford Street, which was in the middle of being renovated when she passed away suddenly at the end of last month.
Other speakers included Tim Marshall, who worked with her as a social worker.
Dianne was an innovator and a collaborator who had a stable, steady and thoughtful approach, he said.
“She didn't mince words. But when she did speak it was considered and wise.
“She taught us to never underestimate the importance of being nice and checking in on those around you.”
Dianne was also never afraid to be at the forefront of anything that needed reforming.
Neighbour and friend Anne Prince remembered Dianne's warm welcome when she and her husband Bryan moved in next door. Dianne had shown them a photo she was in with Bryan's mother. From then on, they were like extended whanau, she said.
Meredith Akuhata Brown said Dianne was wise, always straight up and had “integrity like no one else”.
“She kept pushing for what is right.”
The final speaker was Tania Rauna who wore a pink outfit, complete with a unicorn head, which she removed to speak.
“Dianne was the most supportive person I've had for the past seven years. I would not be back working with my iwi if it wasn't for Di.
“She taught me that it's most important to look after our babies.”
' To honour Di, the family asked for donations to Ka Pai Kaiti, and on the day of Dianne's service they raised $410.
— by Sophie Rishworth