Obituary – Diane Thomas

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)

Diane Thomas
Fell asleep  in our Lord, surrounded by her loving family, on May 16, 2023 at 7:20pm at the age of 54.
Diane, beloved wife to Joseph Thomas, beloved mother to Jacob Thomas, Joshua Thomas and Rachel Thomas.
Beloved sister to David Rizk (Gezelle) Rose-Ann Abou-Assaly (Sleiman), Sam Rizk (Brenda), Michael Rizk (Miranda), Raymond Rizk (Fadia) and Victor Rizk (Carole).
Daughter-in-law to Noelle Thomas.
Sister-in-law to David Thomas.
God Mother to David Rizk Jr, Rebecca Rizk, Nick Rizk, Bettina Rizk, Matthew Thomas, Noah Thomas and Gaby Thomas.
Aunt to David Rizk Jr (Hallie), Chanel Rizk, Rosemary Abou-Assaly (Louis Simon), Sally Abou-Assaly (Jason Boushey), Andrew Abou-Assaly (fiancée Meghan Blier), Michael Rizk Jr (fiancée Stacey Warm), Christina Rizk, Tasha Rizk (Andy Denardo), Nadine Rizk (fiancé Nick Burrell), Rebecca Rizk (Moton Hopkins), Raymond-Elias Rizk (fiancée Vicki Lazaridis), Krystle Rizk (Armon Kolaei), Matthew Thomas & Nicholas Thomas
Great aunt to Christopher Simon, George Simon, Jason Boushey Jr, Vanessa Boushey, Rebecca Boushey, Adam Boushey, Stella Denardo and Zhuri Hopkins.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 4:00  to 8:00 pm .at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, 2975 Riverside Drive,  followed by interment at  Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave.
In lieu of flowers and for those wishing, in memoriam donations to St. Elias Cathedral would be appreciated.

Diane was the centre of life among all of her siblings and their children. With her open-door policy and food at the ready, her home was a central hub for family gatherings, both when the children, nieces and nephews were young and coming over after school, and later when all of them were in their teens and early twenties. She was a part time babysitter to Christopher and George Simon.

For 26 years, she made everyone feel welcome in her home and loved. She was a dedicated mother to aid her children in achieving their goals and aspirations. So dedicated was she, that all her children have achieved success in following their dreams. She lived vicariously through her children’s many sports, dance, and other activities. Never hesitating to drive, not only her children, but many of their friends and/or cousins to their various sports activities. Diane was also dedicated to her daughter, Rachel’s dance and cheerleading activities. Never once did she say, I can’t drive the children where they needed to be.

Even with all this, she still found time to share a special bond with her beloved sister, Rose-Ann, where they spent many days shopping, sharing laughs over a bottle of wine, going on neighbourhood walks to spy on their cousin, Jacky, cooking family recipes, and watching their favourite Arabic television shows.

For her husband, Joseph, she gave of herself at all times to provide a loving and warm home. Once the children were well into their undergraduate studies, Diane was so dedicated to her husband, that she took an intensive tax course so that she could become a full business partner with Joseph in his tax services office that he operates with his brother David.