Dianne Elfreda Thompson-Sheppard

Dianne Elfreda Thompson-Sheppard, QC, born in Wolfville, NS, 25 June 1942, was the only daughter of Murray Stewart Thompson and Evangeline Sawler. She married Thomas Milton "Tony" Sheppard in 1974. She died at home on 11 July 2014. After earning her LLB from Dalhousie in 1971, she was admitted to the Bar in May 1972 and earned her appointment as a Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 1987. Dianne practiced law in New Minas and Wolfville, until health forced her to retire in 2007. Before that, she had earned her BA from Acadia University in 1964 and her BEd. in 1965, after which she briefly taught at Horton District High School. She was a graduate of Wolfville High School and Horton District High School, as a member of Horton’s first graduating class. She also served in the West Nova Scotia Regiment and the Halifax Service Battalion from 1967-1972 and was commissioned with the Substantive rank of Captain in the militia. Dianne was an accomplished artist and has had her work commissioned and exhibited. She started painting at age 10 and continued right up until recently. Dianne was predeceased by her parents. Her husband, Tony, died in 1989, while they were returning from a vacation in Florida. Dianne is survived by Tony’s children, Sandra Sheppard, Billtown; Thomas (Sheila), Caledonia; David, Wolfville; Peter Sheppard (Brenda), Woodville, all of whom she affectionately called her step-children. She is survived by aunt, Emily Lantz, Antigonish; maternal cousins, Elizabeth Sovie (Martin), Bridgewater; Patsy Jefferson (Berton); Lynda MacLellan (Douglas), Antigonish, and by paternal cousins, Colin and Christopher Lindsay of Ottawa, as well as by several cousins living on the South Shore. All her life Dianne has attracted circles of friends, notably her closest friends, Harriet Donopria of New York, Gail Gordon (Garth) and Villiam Zavlo, of Kentville, and Peggy Young of Wolfville. One group of special friends call themselves The Pack; other circles are the Bridge Club, the Oasis, and the Horton Lunch Bunch. Dianne has fought various cancers valiantly for more than 23 years, first diagnosed in 1991, maintaining as active a social life as she could, always enjoying her favourite restaurants, and traveling. In anticipation of her last birthday in late June, Dianne threw a gala dinner party for more than 85 of her friends and family to celebrate her life. Stories and songs entertained the guests and it pleased her to have such a wonderful, loving party. Special thanks to Dr. Merriweather, her oncologist, the Chemo nurses at Valley Regional and the VON who have taken care of her at home. Special thanks to Judy Morine and Sheila Thompson, for many years of faithful service. Although Dianne meant her birthday party as a final farewell, there will be a very brief committal service to be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at the family plot in Willow Bank Cemetery, Wolfville, followed by a reception at Tideways, 25 Old Post Road, Wolfville. Family flowers only, but donations in memory may be made to the local SPCA or the Point to Point bus service in Kings County, which was of tremendous help to Dianne in her final weeks. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.