Dianne Vivian Murphy

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of Dianne Vivian Murphy at Deep River and District Hospital on September 25, 2026. She died peacefully in the arms of her loving husband Jim. This was the week of their 54th wedding anniversary. Along with Jim, she leaves behind brother Pete Unwin and wife Carol of Vancouver Washington State, sister Wendy Rudell and partner Charles Free of Cabo San Lucas. Dianne is predeceased by her sister Jan Yoller (Franz Yoller) of Thunder Bay. She is lovingly remembered by her brother-in-law Paul Murphy (Gayner), sister-in-law Margaret Mandziak, nieces Sandra Crossley (Neil), Nicole Rudell (Shane Gusdal) and nephew Ronald Mandziak.

Dianne lived her life with exuberance in every way. She was the essence of curiosity and human connection. Whether it was from the hills of Sogeri Papua New Guinea to Mount Kilimanjaro, South Africa or Costa Rico, Dianne made new friends wherever she travelled and maintained contact through her vibrant life. The great joy and accomplishment of her life was her career teaching children. Dianne taught for 37 years, most of those years in Deep River Ontario, half of them in grade one and half special ed. She loved her students and was often considered an unconventional and innovative teacher. Sometimes proving imprudent on her part. But most often, the priority being 'learning should be fun'. Her special projects encouraged her students to love school. In her grade one classroom she had a cast-iron bathtub filled with books, pillows, and cuddly blankets for the children to snuggle up and read together. And one year the children built a huge dinosaur, Dino, with papier- mâché, painted it and climbed up on top to have their pictures taken. There were always classroom animal pets... rabbits, snakes, salamanders, whatever the children brought in. She always looked for the problems children were having and fought to help them in any way she could. Until her last days former students would stop Dianne on the street recalling to her the great positive impact she had on them in their most informative years. What greater recognition can a teacher receive?

Dianne and Jim also were teacher volunteers. They went to Northeastern Nigeria for two years to teach at Mubi Teachers’ College and in the late 80’s again went this time to teach in Papua New Guinea for three years. It was there that she became an avid scuba diver. Every holiday Jim and Dianne could be found exploring the local reefs and atolls with their diving buddies. Another one of the great joys of her life.

Dianne and Jim both retired in 1998 and spent their winters exploring many different countries all over the world. Jim being an avid wildlife photographer dragged all his gear (with Dianne's help) to as many remote places as their little rental vehicles could take them... Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Botswana, Kruger National Park, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico and the list goes on. They loved spontaneous 'wandering and roaming', independent trips where they were always on the lookout for birds, animals and interesting topographic features. Kruger was her favourite destination with an abundance of photo shoots every single day!

Dianne loved her community. She was an enthusiastic volunteer at the schoolhouse museum socials, the 'May madness' library fundraisers and the snowmobile trail side cafe. Dianne was known by the whole community wherever she went. People were always greeted with a smile and a big, sincere hug. She gave the best hugs.

In recent months and weeks, it has been her little log house that has given her joy... the little house that she and Jim designed and built for the most part themselves. This was the special space giving her comfort and consolation, filled with memories and love. And how she loved setting of from her dock for a few hours of fishing in her little boat. Especially in her final days, she loved sitting by the fire, watching tv or reading and never tiring of the beautiful views out the huge windows.

Dianne and the family wanted to acknowledge the excellent care she received throughout her illness. She could not say enough about the entire health care team that supported her.

In memory of Dianne, donations may be made to the Deep River and District Community Foundation – Murphy Fund. The link to donate is:www.drdcf.ca/murphy-fund. Or contact at: info@drdcf.ca

There is no celebration of life planned at this time.

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