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In Memory of Beloved Members
Posted to Facebook on November 27, 2020.
We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of our longtime friend and fellow board member, Diane Hermary.
Diane passed on November 26th, after a long-endured journey with cancer. Our website still holds her biography, even though she stepped back from the board in September to focus on her health. We are heartbroken that the disease she fought bravely for many years finally took its toll. But she overcame nonetheless, living in joy, full of love and with vigour. If there was a dance-floor, she was on it, enjoying herself to the fullest.
We know many of you knew and worked with Diane along the journey, and we wish to express our sincerest condolences at this announcement of loss. Should you wish to send messages of condolence to Diane's family - her husband Dave and son Dylan, please feel free to send them to the RDAC office and Suzanne will make sure they are put in the right hands.
We'd like to share a handwritten poem that Diane wrote early in the pandemic, something she'd offered as something for the Online Arts Festival, but perhaps it was too special. It reflects her amazing character so well.
Lastly, in her final wishes, she asked that this poem be shared upon her passing. It is attributed to Mary Elizabeth Frye. We hope it brings you solace and comfort as hoped. She is at peace and we are so incredibly grateful for her many years of contributions to the Red Deer Arts Council and its previous incarnations, too.
Diane Hermary - Our wonderful Secretary!
Originally hailing from Southern Ontario, Diane has been calling Alberta home since 1994; and Red Deer since 1996. She has been involved in the Arts and Culture scene from an early age, voraciously writing short stories and painting on rocks as a child. Later in life Diane had plans to go to journalism school, but when that didn’t pan out she promptly set up shop at local farmers markets and craft shows, selling paintings and other small items.
After the move to Red Deer, she partnered with two other like-minded women and helped to co-found the downtown retail shop housewarmings. Housewarmings is a local shop specializing in local artist consignment, and imported global artist discovery. Diane has since retired from this venture, but it's still going strong with a brand new store location on the south side of Ross Street!
Diane has been on the Executive Board of the Red Deer Arts Council for the last eight years (one year off-board but as recording secretary - because she loves to do it!), and had been involved in the RDAC’s predecessor the Red Deer and District Allied Arts Council for another previous six.
It seems that they just can’t get rid of her, and she likes that just fine.
NB from Suzanne - (We'd never have gotten rid of her... she was stuck with us and we liked that just fine, too.)
