Diana Jeanne Blake (Nicholson) Harwood

Diana Jeanne Blake (Nicholson) Harwood

Diana Jeanne Blake (Nicholson) Harwood
November 16, 1939 – November 5, 2025

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of Diana Jeanne Blake Harwood (née Nicholson) on November 5, 2025, in Windsor, Ontario. Born in St. David’s, Ontario on November 16, 1939, to Iona and Leo Nicholson, Diana lived a life filled with curiosity, a great sense of fun, creativity, and kindness.

Married to her beloved husband Frederick Neal Harwood for 60 happy years, Dixie & Rick shared a remarkable partnership — one defined by joie de vivre, chutzpah, pizzazz, laughter, and a deep love of family and friends. Together, they built a life rich with memories, adventure, and joy.

A dedicated and inspiring educator, Diana taught for 28 years in Windsor, where she shared her love of learning, current events, history, the arts, sports, and nature with generations of students. Her enthusiasm for life extended far beyond the classroom.

Diana was a gifted watercolor painter, a talented photographer, and an avid gardener who could often be found in hip waders tending to her fish pond. She cherished boating and lake life, and her kitchen was always filled with the aroma of delicious meals and baked treats lovingly made for family and friends.

Diana is lovingly remembered by her daughter Samantha Harwood-Baxter, son-in-law Robert Baxter, and her adored grandchildren Katherine Ila Diana and Robert Gordon Neal Baxter. She is also survived by her sister Sharon (Leo) Walsh, her nephew Kelly(Cathy) Walsh, niece Lesley(Rob)Carroll and dear friend Nicky Ens, who will miss her warmth, contagious smile, sense of fun, intelligence and kindness.

The family would like to express their heart-felt thank you to the beautiful staff of Broulliette Manor for their love and care of Diana while she lived in residence.

A celebration of Diana’s life will be held in spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Windsor Humane Society or a local food bank.

Diana’s light, love, and laughter will continue to live on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.