Diana Lee Allen (Brown) was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba on April 25th, 1947.  Her parents were Margaret (Tedeschi) and George Allen.  She had a younger brother Douglas (born in 1949).   George Allen passed in December 1966 and a few years later, Margaret married Keith Gorrell who became an integral part of the family; adding Kenton (Christa) and Sharon (Yam) as step-siblings along with their children Kim and Paul.

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Lee married Ronald Brown in 1966 and they had two children together, Susan Lee (1967) and Christopher Ronald (1971). In 1974, Ron and Lee divorced and Lee moved to Toronto where she started a new career in apartment management.  

The family moved back to Winnipeg into the same house Ron and Lee had purchased in 1966.  Around 1979 Lee purchased another house on the same street.  It was bigger, better and Chris and Susan now had their own rooms!

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Lee graduated from hairdressing school in 1976 and worked in the field for a few years, but found it hard to stand for long periods of time – as she had broken her leg as a child.  She then went into transportation, but continued to cut hair for many friends and family.  She was an expert at giving perms despite the smell!

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After her stint in the transportation field, Lee opened an in-house daycare for many years and is fondly remembered by many children and parents as “Grandma Lee”.

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In 2012, Lee did a full circle and moved back into the original home on Collegiate Street where she had so many memories.

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Lee struggled with mental health issues and at this time depression really took hold of her.  She became withdrawn and angry despite the love and support that surrounded her.

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Lee was pre-deceased by her father, George Allen (1966), mother Margaret Tedeschi (2014), step-father Keith Gorrell (2004) and her brother, Douglas Allen (2004).

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She is survived by her children Chris (Colette) Brown and Susan (Glenn) Caie. Grand-children Tyler (Ciara) Caie, Riley Caie and Spencer Brown as well as great grandchild Lylah Caie; sister-in-law Heather Allen, niece Melanie (Daniel) Kyryliuk and her great-nieces Angelica and Emma Kyryliuk.

Lee will be sadly missed by many cousins who will cherish their memories with her – especially my aunt, Margaret Schellenburg who was like a sister to her and a second mother to Chris and Susan.

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The family wants to thank all of those who helped and cared for Lee – both professionally and emotionally.   Many reached out and many tried to help – for that we are grateful.   A special mention is deserving to Christine and the staff at Brathwaites Pharmacy and to her longtime friend Myrna Bratton.

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Our mom is finally at peace. 

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A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 7th at the Viscount Gort – 1670 Portage Avenue.  We look forward to seeing you and sharing some memories.