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Dianne Merrell

Dianne Merrell (nee Eady) was born at the Kirkland and District Hospital on October 9, 1940. She was the first of seven children born to Cecil and Babs Eady (nee Ludford). Her siblings were Lynne, Sharron, Robert, Norman, James and Kim. Cecil was a machinist, and Babs a hairdresser who worked from her home.
Dianne attended Queen Elizabeth Public School and her high school years at Kirkland Lake Collegiate and Vocational Institute where she was an excellent student. Upon graduation in 1958, she enrolled in the Atkinson School of Nursing at the Toronto Western Hospital. Dianne received the Sigmund Samuel award for General Proficiency in Nursing. She worked at the Royal Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario in the operating room for a year.

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Dianne Merrell
Circa 1964

Credits:
Image loaned from MNH Auxiliary (Women of Kirkland Lake 2012 Exhibit)
Image loaned from Dianne Merrell

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In 1962 she attended the University of Western Ontario, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a major in Nursing Administration.

In 1964, Dianne returned to Kirkland Lake and married John Merrell. She became the Assistant Director of Nursing at Kirkland Lake District Hospital until the birth of her daughter Suzanne in 1967. She returned to working part-time in administration and teaching clinical nursing at the School of Nursing. She would later take a break to become a fulltime mom with the new additions of sons Robert and Steven, and foster daughter Debbie.

In 1975, Dianne became the Director of Nursing. She moved to the position of Assistant Executive Director in 1983. In 1984 she obtained her Certification in the Canadian College of Health Service Executives. In 1989 when approaching retirement she turned her attention to family life and volunteer work within the community.

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Dianne Merrell
Circa 1958
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Image from the Museum of Northern History Collection

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When her children were young she volunteered with the Kirkland Lake Skating Club, the Kirkland Lake Aquatic Club and teen programs at the Swastika Church. Over the years she has been involved with the Ladies Curling and Golf Clubs in various positions.

For over 25 years Dianne served on the Board of the Victorian Order of Nurses, who provided home nursing to the residents of Kirkland Lake.

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Timiskaming Home Support was another interest and after serving on that Board for several years she and John continue to deliver "Meals on Wheels".

She and John have enjoyed hosting both a Rotary exchange student and several Kamitavik participants. In 2005, her interest in child welfare took her to Children and Family Services where she has been a Board Member. More recently she has become a member of the Amalgamation Team for Cochrane and Timiskaming into the Northeastern Ontario Family and Children's services. Dianne also initiated a Parkinson's Disease support group for the area.

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A lifelong interest in travel has led her to China, India, Australia, Europe and the Caribbean. She winters in a small village on the west coast of Mexico with family. True to her care-giving nature, she provides patchwork quilts to village orphans and gourmet quality meals to her friends.

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A Gift of Quilts to a Mexican Orphanage - Dianne Merrell
Circa 2000
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Image loaned from MNH Auxiliary (Women of Kirkland Lake 2012 Exhibit)
Image loaned from Dianne Merrill

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Dianne has had a 20 year association with the Kirkland Lake Horticultural Society. An interest in the local Museum has engaged her for 22 years, during which time she has served as President and Treasurer as well as honing her cooking skills with luncheons in support of the Museum's auxiliary activities.

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Dianne Merrell
Circa 2000
The Museum of Northern History

Credits:
Image from the Museum of Northern History Collection

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Museum Auxiliary
23 October 1998
The Museum of Northern History

Credits:
Image from Museum of Northern History Collection

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Canada Day at Museum of Northern History
2 July 2002
The Museum of Northern History

Credits:
Image from Museum of Northern History Collection
Image from Northern Daily News