Dee (Diane) Kathleen Preikschas-Brown (née Shortreed)

March 22, 1954 - October 14th, 2025

I lived a wonderful life of 71 years, filled with more love, laughter, and happiness than I could ever have asked for. For 30 years, Parkinson’s walked beside me - an uninvited guest who, in time, revealed itself as one of my greatest teachers. It taught me patience, presence, and the importance of living with lightness, even in difficulty.

Guided by curiosity and a deep interest in others, my path led me into nursing, humour therapy, and mindfulness. Each brought gifts that shaped me. Nursing taught me resilience and compassion, and outpost nursing showed me the courage it takes for someone to ask for help. My work as a humour therapist - and my character, Sunni Daiz - taught me the power of laughter and play. Mindfulness and travel opened doors to growth; my time in India, in particular, offered me humility and spiritual depth. In every role, I was a student of humanity, learning as much from others as I ever gave.

In keeping with my wishes, my life is being honoured through organ donation and cremation. I was grateful to have already shared a beautiful celebration of life with those I love - it was one of the best days of my life. I celebrated my life while I was here, with all of you by my side.

I hope my life will be remembered in the love I gave, the delight I felt, and the kindness I shared.

If you want to honour me, please do something kind for someone who hasn’t had as much love and happiness in their life as I was lucky enough to have in mine. That will be the greatest tribute.

To my beloved husband, Dave - you were the steady hand I held through every season.
To my daughters, Shana (James) and Steph (Dave) - you are, and always will be, the greatest joy of my life.
To my grandchildren - Katie, Eranne, Will, Joey, and Alaya - you filled my days with laughter and love.
To my great-granddaughters, Maddie and Angie - you are pure light.
To my sister, Sandy - you walked beside me through every twist and turn in life.
To my brother, Steve, and to Mom and Dad - having gone before me, you are part of the endless thread of love, and I now join you in that timeless connection.
And to all the family, friends, neighbours, my medical care team, and even kind strangers who touched my life and made me smile - thank you.

Please don’t think of this as goodbye. Love doesn’t end. It flows on, surrounds us, and shines through in everyday moments.

I love you all. 

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