Diane Laverne (Rider) Hay

It is with love and gratitude that we announce the passing of Diane Hay, who passed away peacefully at the Stettler Hospital on October 7, 2025, at the age of 85.

Diane was born on the family farm near Boss Hill and attended school at Skybo, Up-to-Date, Donalda, and Red Deer before taking her nursing training at the Holy Cross Hospital. She worked at Eckville Hospital for 1 year and then became the first nurse at the brand-new Bashaw Hospital.

She met her husband, Melvin Hay, while he was helping build the Bashaw school gym. Together they raised their family and built Bashaw Concrete.

Diane worked as a nurse in the Bashaw Hospital and Clinic until a back injury ended her nursing career, but caring for others remained at the heart of her life. She spent countless hours visiting friends and community members, offering comfort, conversation, and ensuring that medical and clergy staff were aware of the needs within the community.

She was known for her caring heart, warm hospitality, and dedication to family and friends. Diane always remembered birthdays and anniversaries and made sure to call everyone on their special day. She loved gardening, baking, and sharing that love with those around her.

She was famous for the dozens of Christmas tea rings and loaves of bread she baked and personally delivered—always fresh from the oven—to friends and family around town. If you weren’t home when she stopped by, your bread might have found its way to someone else, because it was best FRESH, but she’d make sure you got one from the next batch. 

Diane’s generosity, kindness, and sense of connection touched many lives. Her legacy of love, community, and service will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.

She is survived by her two daughters, Dorene Hay (Herb Fox), and  Yvonne King (Ron), four grandchildren, Dylan Bergstrom (Alyssa), Tyson King, Dallas Bergstrom (Taryn) and Andrea King (Byron Grande) and five great-grandchildren, Boyd, Max, Mason, Remi, and Jace; as well as her brother, Gary Rider (Sharon).

She was predeceased by her husband Melvin, her parents Harry Percy and Astrid Rider, her brothers Ron and Dale Rider, and her sister Gail Schoff.

A graveside service will be held at Bashaw Cemetery on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at the Bashaw Community Centre at 1:00 p.m.

Donations in Diane’s memory are gratefully accepted to the Bashaw United Church.