

Visiation
Celebration of Life
Reception


Obituary of Diane Daphne Mary Thibodeau
It is with profound sorrow that we announce our beloved mother, Diane Daphne Mary (Hayward) Thibodeau, surrounded by loved ones passed away peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Monday February 3, 2025. Mum was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who was loved by all who knew her. She entered this world on July 11, 1947 born to Raymond Hayward and Maureen (Keane) Hayward and the world is a better place for her having been here.
Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she was their biggest cheerleader and supporter. She never missed a school concert or sporting event if she could help it. Mum was ‘Simply the Best,’ she was kind-hearted, caring, funny, competitive (especially when she played cards), and an amazing cook. Food was her love language; it was common for mum to host Christmas dinner for 20+ family and friends and would love every minute of the day. Mum’s Christmas meat pies and desserts were what we looked forward to most. She would always say “the secret ingredient is love.”
Some of our most cherished memories were Sunday drives and barbeques with family and friends at a different beach each week. She loved the ocean and spending time at the seashore, particularly Saints Rest or McLarens Beach. Many of her fondest memories are times at the beach with her grandchildren. She loved blasting her favorite Tina Turner, ABBA, Bob Seger, Micheal Bolton, or George Jones tunes on her road trips and while taking the grandkids for ice cream to the Pumpkin Patch.
There were many “animated” conversations at the family table while playing Rummy, Sequence, and Tock/Wahoo. She also had a special group of ladies with whom she played Rummoli. Mum also served her community by volunteering with the Salvation Army, the Canadian Cancer Society and the New Brunswick Liberal Party.
She will be dearly missed by her daughters; Nicole Fair (Donald) and Amy Thorne (Brad Parks), siblings; Sandra Seeley of Cochrane, AB, Shane Hayward, Michael Lavoie, and Armand Lavoie, grandchildren; Grace Thorne (Connor), Sean Fair, Roman Thorne and Avery Fair, great grand dog Riggs, special extended family; Catlin Parks (Allie) and Zoey, Katana Wallace (Riley) and Casey and Paisley , Ryan Ketch, Brett Greer (Rayann). Dear friends; Wendy Horsler, Marge Thibodeau, Jeanette Hamm, and Lita St. Pierre, as well as her nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents Diane was predeceased by her husband Edmond, sons; Raymond, Jonathan and Wayne, daughter Lynn, and brother Tommy Hayward.
The family would like to thank all the nurses and staff of 4BS, especially nurse Mackenzie, Dr. David Bewick, and his wonderful team, especially Jennifer, Dr. Mary Jarratt-Hanlon and her team especially Cathy, the amazing staff of SICU, and mum’s care workers; Krista, Chantal and Angela for their wonderful care and kindness given to our Mother the Queen of our Castle.
Arrangements are under the care of Castle Fallsview Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Ave, Saint John, NB E2M 2L3, 506-634-1701. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 7 from 11am to 1pm. A Celebration of Diane’s Life will follow at 1pm, in Castle Fallsview Chapel. A reception will follow at Denis Morris Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations in Diane’s memory can be made to the New Brunswick Heart Centre, Canadian Cancer Society or charity of the donor’s choice.
"When my heart ceases to beat at the seashore we will meet."

