Patricia "Diane" (McMahon) Prince

It is with great sadness that I announce the unexpected passing of my dear Mom, Patricia Diane Prince, Diane to all that knew her. Mom passed away September 26th, 2023, at her home in Barry’s Bay in her 75th year.

Predeceased by her father Hilliard and mother Dorothy (Drevniok) McMahon. Cherished mom of James and his wife Annie. Proud grandma to Jack and Henry. Devoted to and deeply loved her sisters Helen (Desmond Maika) and Pauline (Chris Kelly). Aunt to Richard Maika and Kimberley (Brent Recoskie), Great-aunt to Kristine (Brandon Burchat), Christopher and Rorey Recoskie. Great great-aunt to Keenan, Kaleb and Kieran Burchat. She will be remembered fondly by her many cherished friends.

Please join us at 11:00am for a Funeral Service on Saturday, October 7th at Heubner Funeral Home in Barry’s Bay. Public visitation is one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the Funeral at the Opeongo Seniors Centre.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation (Madawaska Valley Hospice) would be appreciated.

Diane was born in Pembroke on August 24, 1948. She attended Purdy Public School and went to North Hastings High School in Bancroft. There she excelled in bookkeeping and accounting. After graduating she went to Toronto and obtained a job with Bell Canada and then transferred to Ottawa working in the accounting department for 7 years.

She married a man who was in the Canadian Forces and he accepted a posting in Lahr, Germany, so away they went. It was there that their son James was born. While there Diane began working for the Bank of Montreal. After returning home the couple went their separate ways and Diane then moved back to Barry’s Bay with her son James.

She accepted a position as a teller at the Valley Saving Credit Union. She loved this position as she enjoyed meeting and interacting with the customers. That bank later became known as the Barry’s Bay Northern Credit Union. Diane became the branch manager at the Eganville Credit Union in 1989 and stayed there for 15 years. She returned to the Barry’s Bay branch when Larry Serran retired, and then held the manager position until 2012 when she retired.

After retiring Diane became quite involved in the community. She had already been a member of the Barry’s Bay Lions Club for years, which she enjoyed. Was an active member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Combermere and held the position as treasurer there. Here she was instrumental in raising funds for the church having a tremendously successful yard sale. She started the first “Christmas Tea” in the Anglican hall, which ran for two years until the diocese closed the church. That event has continued over the years and is now hosted by the Combermere Recreation Committee. When driving through Bancroft with her sister they admired the poppy display honoring our veterans. Why not tackle something similar! So with the help of many hands they began working on that project. For three years the poppy display was erected on the Combermere bridge. It was a great tribute to our local veterans in the area. Then the township erected the gazebo in Combermere, so, let’s get permission to decorate there. A small number of women brought their own Christmas decorations and decorated there for a few years.

Diane also had a number of wooden shutters which those same helping hands decorated and erected in Combermere.

She audited books for many nonprofit organizations. Volunteered at the St. Francis Memorial Gift Shop. Loved flowers and at one time was a member of the Horticultural Society in Barry’s Bay. Would drive for miles in order to purchase a new hosta plant, not one, but possibly four at a time. That happened every spring. Loved to separate those plants and share with friends. Diane loved to read, craft and had a great eye for design. She had just started attending the local Trivia Nights for the schools and the Library. She made the team laugh at some of her antics. Knew the answers to some of the weirdest questions. Her true Irish roots came out on St. Patrick’s Day, sometimes too much; she loved music, dance, wine and a party. Loved to travel with her friends, be it near or far.

Diane had an endless love for her family. She was devoted to her son and his wife and the grandkids. She loved her sisters dearly. There will be many tears shed by her family and friends. We are blessed that she was part of our lives. Her memory will live on forever in the stories we share and she will always be there in our hearts.