HOWARTH, Diane Elisabeth Howarth

Diane Elizabeth Howarth (nee Winterton) passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025 at Lakeridge Health, Bowmanville.

Diane is survived by her daughter, Gwen Bevan (Stephen), her son, Stephen Howarth (Lorraine), granddaughter Grace Bevan, her brother Doug Winterton (Gail), and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Earl Howarth, her father and mother, Bert and Mable Winterton, and her brothers, Bruce (Anne), Garnet (Ruth), Keith (Doreen) and Don (Mary Jane). As well as family, Diane leaves behind so many friends in the neighbourhood where she resided, in her church family at Faith United Church, Courtice, and in the wider world. She is deeply and sadly missed.

Visitation will be held at Faith United Church from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Faith United Church is located at 1778 Nash Road, Courtice ON L1E 2L9.

The service will begin after the visitation at 1:00 p.m. The family invites you to join them for tea at the church following the service. Burial will be at 3:30 at Bond Head Cemetery, Newcastle.

Diane was born and raised in London, Ontario, the youngest of five siblings, and the only girl. As a child of her time, Diane learned the “homely” arts that all girls learned early – how to knit, how to sew, how to do crochet. These became the basis for the creative expression that would stay with her throughout her life. After high school, at the age of 18, Diane joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, where she learned the art and science of Meteorology, and where she met a handsome and charming young radar technician named Earl. They married in January of 1961 and started their family, moving several times until they landed in Bowmanville in May of 1965. After her youngest child entered school in 1968, Diane saw that her family income needed bolstering, so she joined the workforce, taking factory jobs for several years, until an industrial accident damaged her left hand. She left the world of factory work to return to school at Seneca College, taking the two-year flower arranging certificate program. She would be a florist ever after. Throughout her life Diane had a green thumb. The only thing that made her happier than arranging flowers was planning and constructing gardens. After years of trial and error in her own garden, she joined the Bowmanville Horticultural Society to learn from and work with like-minded individuals. She eventually stood as president of the organization, leading the group as they finished the design and planting of municipal gardens at the south and west entrances to the town of Bowmanville. In her adult life, Diane was also a veteran, active with Branch 178 of the Royal Canadian Legion, in the Ladies’ Auxiliary from her late 20’s to the end of her life, participating in Poppy Drives, catering for weddings and funerals. Over time her responsibilities grew and she became zone Commander for Ontario in the mid 2000’s. One of her favourite tasks at this time was the presentation of scholarships to young people heading to university. She never missed a Remembrance Day Cenotaph service. Diane was also a woman of deep faith and was involved in the life of Faith United Church, right from its founding, active on church committees and in the UCW, where she was the lead for catering for many years.

Diane will be deeply missed by so many.

Flowers are welcome, but if you would prefer, please make a donation in her memory to Faith United Church, or to a charity of your choice.

NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME