'I was in awe of her:' Residents, friends remember Diane Deans at celebration of life
A celebration of life was held Saturday afternoon for former long-time city councillor Diane Deans.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Deans died May 14 at the age of 65-years-old, five years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She represented the Gloucester-Southgate area for nearly three decades.
Family, friends, colleagues and loved ones gathered at the Infinity Convention Center for the service and reception. The event was open to the public.
"I'm remembering her as a tenacious, passionate councillor and a friend, someone who inspired me, someone who mentored me, someone who meant a lot to me," said Ottawa city councillor Theresa Kavanagh.
"She was someone who brought so much intelligence to the job. I was always in awe of her of when she opened her mouth and was ready to speak because I knew it was going to be good."
"She was passionate, caring, inspiring with high ethical standards," said Beverly Munn, who was Deans' executive assistant for 20 years at City Hall. "A strong woman with a vision."
Each guest was gifted a pin with a heart and her name to wear at the celebration, symbolizing how Deans wore her heart on her sleeve. The service included music, poems and sentiments shared by those closest to her.
"Back in the old days, she always had the power to inspire affection in people. And I see from today, that that power sort of continued throughout her lifetime," said Kirk Falconer, anther friend of Deans.
Flags at Ottawa's City Hall were lowered to half mast from sunrise to sunset on Saturday to mark her passing. Deans, known as a trailblazer for women in local politics, had an impact until her final days.
"I was just so inspired on her view on women in politics. She wants more women in politics, so she made me feel empowered and that was really important to me to have somebody like her who's a trailblazer, to be there and say, go, go, go," said Kavanagh.
Last week, a day after her passing, city council voted unanimously to rename the Greenboro Community Centre after Deans.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6973608.1721691615!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
2nd woman found dead in English Bay: Vancouver police
For the second time in as many days, a woman's body was found near Vancouver's shoreline Monday.
2 Albertans accused of threatening to kill Trudeau, Freeland, Singh
Men from Edmonton and Calgary are accused of threatening to kill some of Canada's top government leaders.
Athletes show off stylish and expensive team clothing for the 2024 Olympic Games
Canadian athletes attempting to reach the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will also be looking fashionable for the entire world to see.
Harris has support of enough Democratic delegates to become party's presidential nominee: AP survey
Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party's nominee against Republican Donald Trump, according to an Associated Press survey taken in the aftermath of President Joe Biden's decision to drop his bid for re-election.
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
Toronto woman charged with voyeurism after taking 'intimate' photos during massage: police
A Toronto woman who allegedly took 'intimate' photos of an individual who was getting a massage has been charged with voyeurism, police say.
IN PICTURES Here's what Calgary's new event centre 'Scotia Place' will look like
The name of Calgary’s new event centre was unveiled on Monday. The arena will be called Scotia Place.
Harris steps into the limelight. And the coconut trees and memes have followed
If you're trying to get up to speed on Vice President Kamala Harris' swift emergence as Democrats' possible nominee this fall, you really need to know your memes.
These are the four leading vice-presidential picks for Kamala Harris' campaign
No one knows the importance of selecting the right running mate better than Vice President Kamala Harris.