Known as Dea to all but her most ancient friends, I have known her since the early 1980's. Some of my regular readers may remember Dianne (as Deadra of Carlisle) inside the SCA. She was one of the people who made up the 'Golden Age of Septentria' in those days. She was one of the Consorts of Ealdormere from the time of the Troubles. Although largely absent from the SCA in recent years, many a new member was guided into the Society by her gentle hand. She was a textile worker of considerable skill, known mainly for counted stitch embroidery.
Dianne, a native of Rode Island USA, was truly a participant in the radical years of the late 1960's. Originally an American citizen, she was actually at Woodstock, and active in Democratic political campaigns. She came to Canada with her husband of the time when he dodged the draft for the Viet Nam war.
Her friends will remember her sharp intellect, wide ranging interests and dry sense of humour. Sadly, her life was often disordered. Her health had not been especially good over the last year. She had just undergone minor surgery last week, although signs are she was peacefully at sleep at the time of her death.
Over the years I had never been able to take a very good picture of her. This image of her and (then husband) Jordan Heron was taken at Pensic in 1984 (?). Dianne was striking in the mobility of her features, something that mere film can never capture.
The world has become less interesting...
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8 comments:
Thank you for posting this. While I have known her a much shorter time, she touched my life a great deal in the years I did have with her. She was, as you say, more witty and animated than any picture could fairly represent. I will miss her warmth and her humour, and all the little moments that words will never fairly do justice to.
Tanya (Lassarfhina)
I hadn't seen Dea for some years, but remember her well from my early days in the SCA.
Thora
Nicely said, Darrell. She will be missed by many of us.
The WCC rit was good, but I'm sensing some need from other, non-pagan sectors to remember Dea... want to work together on a wake? spike at ica dot net
Adam (yes, I'm using my wife's blooger account)
I was looking at some pics over the weekend and none of mine could ever capture the liquid personality either ,Darryl you got the basisc facts , a very accurate portrait, her wit was indeed dry and she though a very gentle soul you did not want to be on the other side of that wit when you had annoyed her. I miss her greatly .
Richard
There is a secular (-ish) service tonight at Memorial Chapel in Brooklin/Whitby Ontario.
5295 Thickson Rd. North, Whitby
Viewing at 7pm, service at 8pm
Those were the good old days.
Now we must carry on, without Dea.
The world is a little darker today.
Yusef
I simply couldn't make it to Dea's funeral and feel deeply saddened by her passing.
I've been thinking about you a lot these past few days Dea.
It has been a pleasure knowing you my friend.
Love
Len
I didn't find out about this until this evening and am sorry to have missed the funeral.
I am deeply saddened by Dea's passing. She was certainly one of the pillars of Eoforwic during my formative years there. I still wear garb that she made for me probably about 1984.
Recently Master Hector penned a couple of poems listing the worthies of Eoforwic (9 lords and 9 ladies). Taking it down to so few was, of course, impossible. In doing so, he omitted some that could not be omitted. So I penned my own poem of 9 additional worthies. I'll quote one stanza of that poem:
Dea of Carlyle was dear to our heart,
She was gracious and wise, witty and smart,
Willing to share and her learning impart.
She will certainly not be fogotten.
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