Dianne VanKirk (nee Foster) May 16, 1959 - February 27, 2008
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DIANNE VANKIRK |
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss our dear friend and band mate, Dianne. She passed away peacefully on February 27 in the company of her parents at the hospital in 100 Mile House after a brief struggle with a rare cancer.
Dianne was born in Calgary, Alberta. Her musical history included time with Tiddley Cove Morris dancers, the pick-up band Quasi-Modal and Tribal Celts, a punk Irish band. She joined Blackthorn in 1994.
She was diagnosed in August of 2007. She kept a positive attitude through it all and we continued to talk about our future musical projects and shows together but we believe she also had her own idea of how she was going to live out the remainder of her time in this realm and did so.
She worked hard with us to finish our latest recording project. We shared a wonderful weekend of Robbie Burns gigs. Her mom (Deka Lake, BC) and brother Chris and his family (Maple Ridge, BC) all came out on the Saturday night and enjoyed a great show.
She then headed up the following week to 100 Mile House to see her dad and spend some time with her folks. While there, she ended up in the hospital where doctors did their best to make her comfortable.
We are blessed with great memories of a beautiful person, the wonderful years spent making music and the many miles traveled together.
Plans are in the works for the big party she wanted in her memory. An announcement will be released on the Blackthorn web site once plans are finalized with her family. www.blackthornband.com.
We would like to include just a few of the loving notes of support we have received from friends:
You had to admire her spirit and sense of humour at all times, but especially in the recent months of adversity. It was wonderful to see her smile and listen to her cheery banter during the last few gigs we did together. That is how we will remember Dianne.
- Jim and Joan
Dianne was just like a ray of bright light both on and off stage, she seemed larger than life and I know that she'll be missed by many people not only for her talents as a musician but for her joie de vivre and her love of the craic.
- Sandra
Dianne faced so much suffering in her life, but seemed to manage it with such grace. Our impression is that she found joy, and brought joy, wherever she could.
- Karen and Dave
We live on
In the memory of those
We've touched along the way,
Whose faces light up
At the memory of us.
- Eugene Numar
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