Elizabeth Dian Cromer

June 17, 1944 – June 17, 2025

June 17, 1944 – June 17, 2025 (age 81)

“Now as I was young and easy under the apple boughs

About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green…”

(Fern Hill, Dylan Thomas)

Dian was born in Smithers, BC, to Edwin and Dulcina Herman as their only child. She grew up and spent most of her life in Smithers. Dian met her future husband, Bill, in high school. They married on Dec 31, 1963, in Smithers, and soon built a home in Driftwood, where they spent the next 50 years together, and where Dian lived out the rest of her days.

Bill and Dian were blessed with a daughter, Bryony, and two sons,

Jamie and Michael. The unexpected passing of Michael in 2005 brought immense sorrow but revealed a profound resilience in Dian.

Dian was deeply devoted to her family and home. She continued to mow her lawn, tend her gardens, and chop firewood almost until her final days. Dian drew tremendous joy from teaching young students, first in Kitimat, and then at the Lake Kathlyn and Muheim schools before supporting homeschooled children as she moved into retirement. Many students fondly remembered her as “the best teacher I ever had and she changed my life.”

Dian’s generous, kind, and supportive spirit was reciprocated in her final weeks by an outpouring of love from family, friends, neighbors, former students, and colleagues who visited and left messages, gifts, and cards.

Dian will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter Bryony (Stelios) Papaxanthos, son Jamie Cromer, Lisa DeMarni-Cromer, grandchildren Anna (Kevin) Ho, Nicholas (Veronika) Papaxanthos, Melina Papaxanthos, and Eliya Cromer, five great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Gordon (Patricia) Cromer, sister-in-law Sharon Cromer, their children and Grandchildren, and many, many friends.

Dian passed away peacefully on her 81st birthday, June 17, 2025, knowing she was loved by so many friends and family. The compassionate care provided by the doctors and nursing staff at Bulkley Valley District Hospital, University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, and BC Cancer Center for the North made her journey as comfortable as possible. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the Bulkley Valley Community Cancer Care Team.

Family and friends are welcome to come share a meal and memories at a Celebration of Life potluck that will be held on Tuesday, July 29th from 6pm to 9pm at the Glenwood Hall on the Telkwa High Road.