Classification Update - Diana Parker
I think most of you know that Diana’s home town is Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. She was the first born in a family of 9 and in her late Mother’s words, “was pretty bossy” from a very young age.
She attended both English and French schools and did her post secondary business training in a bilingual program. Diana loved learning and loved competition, participating in public speaking contests, track and field, the Student Council, etc. (She was competitive and still bossy)
Her first “real” job was in the offices of BP, her 2nd was in an insurance agency and then pure luck led to a Saturday interview for a position at the local radio station CKTS.
The next Monday morning, Diana was in the business which would be an important part of her life for the next 41 years. Both in Sherbrooke and here in Edmonton, there were mentors to whom she will always be grateful, who provided the training, encouragement and opportunities to be involved in all aspects of broadcasting.
Along the way, there was a family to raise. And a major relocation, from Sherbrooke to Edmonton in 1982, a move the family has never regretted. Edmonton is home but there are still strong ties to Quebec where one daughter, a brother and sister and cousins still live.
Diana has 4 children, 2 stepchildren, and 4 grand children, living in Calgary, Kamloops, Sherbrooke, and thankfully, Edmonton and Sherwood Park. Grandson Zavier plays AA hockey in Sherwood Park and attending his games is a priority. Natacha, the oldest granddaughter is in the oil and gas industry and is studying mechanical engineering. The two girls in Quebec are both planning careers in music. The kids are OK.
Their Mother/Grandmother is not. She’s trying to adjust to being without Daniel, her husband who passed away in April, and finding out that this is by far the most difficult period of her life.
When the children were young, their favorite vacation places were along the coast of Maine and New Hampshire, Old Orchard Beach, Hampton Beach, etc. and they still laugh about the songs they used to sing on the way to the beach. Diana and Daniel loved to plan driving trips across Canada and the United States, and also travelled extensively in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, etc.
Diana retired as the GM of World FM and Sonic at the end of 2006. Her fondest memories are of the teamwork involved in preparing applications for new stations and defending those applications before the CRTC. Many of those colleagues are still close friends and radio is still a favorite medium….CBC at home, Sonic when she’s alone in the car.
A good day includes time to work out (not a health nut by any means, but exercise has been a lifetime habit) and to read – history, historical fiction, and anything recommended by her sisters and reader friends (in this club).
She is currently doing some part time work for CrossMark, a company that provides retail audits and market studies to major manufacturers and retailers. Her daughter, Pat, is her supervisor. Another bossy member of the family.
Rotary has been an important part of Diana’s life since 1994 when she was invited to join this club. She served 3 years as Chair of the Annual Fund of the Rotary Foundation and is now in her 3rd and final year as Assistant Governor. It’s been a learning experience, and, more importantly the source of many new friendships.
Future plans……uncertain, but a family trip to Ireland is in the works for this time next year.