Dianna “Di” Jean Magon Bowers

Dianna “Di” Magon Bowers

Please make a toast to your loved ones. If possible, say na zdrowie. Mom won’t rest until she knows you have a glass in hand and something to eat.

Dianna “Di” Jean Magon Bowers, 77 years young, left the world’s troubles behind on December 18, 2023. She passed away at home in Port Medway, Nova Scotia, early on a stormy morning, by the glow and warmth of a wood fire and the love of her family. That evening, there was a beautiful sunset.

Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on February 16, 1946, she is the daughter of the late Helen Jadak of Montreal and Eugenewicz Magon who emigrated from Poland on the White Star Line, entering Canada at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dianna outlasted her younger brother, Robert Magon (Diane (Rothney) Magon). Well known for his thoughtfulness and sense of humour, he blew the back door of Dianna’s home wide-open minutes before her departure to show her the way.

Dianna is remembered with profound and enduring love and respect as Di, wife and dearest friend, by her husband, Peter William Bowers; as Mom by their three daughters, Cindy (Forbes) Stafford (Craig Sawyer), Laurie (Forbes) Wyatt (Gordon Miller), and Beth Magon Bowers; as Nana by her two grandchildren, Connor Stafford and Grace Wyatt; as Sis by her charming eldest brother, Eugene Magon and by her wonderful sister-in-law Flo Magon. She was Auntie Di to beloved nieces and nephews in Ontario and across Canada; a beloved cousin to warm-hearted Rick Wray and many others; and a mom, sister, and friend to Carol Puddester who has always been part of our family. Many have considered Di to be a second mom. Friends and family around the world, here and already gone, found within her a safe haven, kindred spirit and fierce friend. Many more will still come to know her through stories that can’t help but be told. She was one helluva fun lady.

Mom lived in the Eastern Townships of Quebec all her life, until she and Peter moved to Port Medway, Nova Scotia, in 1981 with their three daughters. From her new home she could see the ocean, but still packed picnic lunches to spend long sandy days at the beach.

Her in-laws, Norman and Thelma (Hyatt) Bowers, were already in the province and previously owned Kedge Lodge. Throughout Thelma’s final years, Di lovingly cared for her at home, because Mom believed home is where the heart is. Mom had a lot of heart.

She also loved to laugh. A legend in her own right, Mom was always up for playing a game or a good old-fashioned prank. As an expert heckler, family gatherings were always hilarious, full of surprises and inspired stories to last a lifetime. A long-time darts champion, you may have lost against her in a tournament, or been among the many who played for fun in the darts room she’d lined with trophies.

For Mom, food was a love language. With comfort, pride and joy, she brought the family together at the dinner table for a wholesome meal nearly every day. More than a few of her signature dishes, especially her Polish family recipes, could not be beat, nor imitated, no matter how hard we tried. While she sent her children to school with sandwiches made with homemade bread and alfalfa sprouts, immensely embarrassing at the time, she was also an advocate of cake for breakfast and midnight ice cream.

To the extraordinary Home Carers, VON, and Palliative Care team who made it possible for us to honour Mom’s wish to remain at home with her family, we cannot thank you enough.

To the rest of you, tell your people you love them. Give them a call or a hug. Stand up for each other. Play Paul Anka’s, Diana, and raise a glass to a woman whose ferocity, resolve, loyalty, beauty, and sense of fun lives on in all us. No need to be subtle about it. Mom never was.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool, NS. There will be a small family gathering to celebrate her life and legacy in Lennoxville, Quebec, when the time is right. At Mom’s request, her ashes will be scattered “three sheets to the wind.” She lives on in our memories, hearts and laughter.

To you who did her wrong all those years ago, you know who you are. Make amends or brace yourself. She said she will be coming for you.

If you wish to honour Dianna’s memory, donations can be made to a women’s shelter in your area. Or, “just don’t be an a$$hole.”