Dianna Lynne Connors

Dianna Lynne Connors, 77, passed away on 22 March 2025 in Dayton, Ohio. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she grew up in Oshawa, Ontario, and later made her home in both Kalamazoo, Michigan and Lacombe, Alberta — communities she cherished deeply.

Dianna was a brilliant and accomplished woman who excelled as a mother, teacher and therapist. She earned a BA in Psychology from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan in 1970, followed by an MA in Counselling Psychology from Western Michigan University in1975.

Dianna worked at Battle Creek Adventist Hospital from 1975 to 1990, eventually becoming the head administrator for the Child and Adolescent Unit. In 1991, her family moved to Lacombe, Alberta. Two years later, she joined Loma Linda University’s Canadian campus as administrator of their graduate-level Marital & Family Therapy Program, rising to lead administrator until the program’s closure in 2013. Until 2016, she also worked as a counselor at Ponoka Family and Community Support Services.

In 2016, Dianna moved from Alberta to Kettering, Ohio and married Tom Robbins. They had attended Andrews University together and, later in life, rekindled a deep friendship from their college days where Dianna had been campaign manager for Tom’s successful campaign for student body president. They had nine years of happiness there together, a major portion of which had been dominated by a fight against metastatic breast cancer. She survived well beyond the average survival rate and this success was attributed to her indomitable spirit, the love that she shared with Tom and her family, and a nine-year aggressive treatment program at the James Cancer Center at Ohio State University in Columbus.

A true manifestation of what it means to be a “Connors,” Dianna embodied a total devotion to her family. She was known for her warm spirit and her ability to bring people together. Family members felt her example made them part of a network of smart, funny, generous, kind, interesting and joyful, loving people. Those who knew her fondly remember her love of poetry, philosophy, nature and spirituality. Her impactful career as a teacher and therapist was a natural fit — Dianna was adept at connecting with others and bringing out the best in them. Whether through her wisdom, warmth or love of music, singing and dancing, she was always the bright spark of energy who guided those around her to practice radical self-acceptance and to treat themselves with a loving kindness. Her three children — Gillian, Colleen and Jack — were her greatest pride and joy. She supported them emotionally, spiritually and academically, nurturing an incredibly close bond that lasted throughout their lives.

Her warm and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Anne Connors, as well as her siblings, Ken, Frank and Arlene. She is survived by her husband, Tom; her children, Gillian, Colleen and Jack; the father of her children, John; her children-in-law, Martin and Melissa; her bonus kids, Jen and Amanda; her siblings, Gail, Bob and Alan; her beloved dog, Teddy; and numerous other family members and friends.

Dianna is loved by people all over the world and will be honoured in several locations, starting with a celebration of life service in Ohio. The family will receive guests from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 at Routsong Funeral Home (2100, East Stroop Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429), with a service to follow at 1:00 pm. A livestream will be available via Routsong’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person ( https://www.youtube.com/@routsongfuneralhome9452 ).

In the coming months, celebrations will also take place in Ontario and Alberta, Canada. A free spirit who cannot be contained, Dianna wished for her ashes to be spread in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, a place she loved deeply and where she spent much time camping and hiking with her family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Imerman Angels, a non-profit providing free one-on-one cancer support; SICSA Pet Adoption & Wellness Center; or a local women’s shelter, cancer support network or humane society of your choosing.

The family extends a special thank you to Dianna’s large network of friends and family for their care and support during this time.