Diana Lee Zanker (2 May 1943 - 25 May 2024)

Do you believe in “Dreams, Coincidences and a Broken Heart”?

Diana was born in Ramsay on the Isle of Man, the daughter of James and Eileen Callow. The opening music (words in the Order of Service) was the IoM National Anthem, “A Land of our Birth”.

Diana’s mother’s maiden name was Crellin: a name well known and respected on the IoM. Her grandfather, Ewart Crellin, was the architect who designed the War Memorials at Douglas and Lezayre Church. Ewart’s son, Ewart Jnr (Eileen’s brother, Diana’s uncle) was killed at the start of WWII on an RAF reconnaissance raid over the Rhine. His name is on both of the Ewart Snr memorials. The Douglas Memorial, after renovation, was recommissioned the same day as Diana’s death.

Diana was brought up alone by her mother and was educated at Ramsay Grammar School. One of her teachers was George Hovington, who in 1959 became the first headmaster of Manor Grammar School in Mansfield Woodhouse (taught Nigel Z from 1967 to 1973).

Diana was a competent young ballerina. She entered and won competitions (see photo). She was also a school team hockey player. Later she changes the stick to a golf club. When living near Newark she was one-time Ladies Captain (see photo) and an influence on Francis to play golf.

Diana left the IoM to move to Nottinghamshire in 1963 to read for a science degree, at Nottingham University in Rural Studies. She remained in Nottingham, married and followed her studies with a Certificate of Education (1978), and a Diploma in Special Education Needs (1986). She retired in 2003 and move home to live with Francis.

Following graduation she worked as a Librarian, sometime at Eaton Hall College of Education, until 1978. It was there that she met Francis: a relationship that led them to become ‘life-long friends’ (see photo). Coincidence 3. Formerly living together and marrying in 2012.

In the past 24 years, Francis and Diana supported each other through their close, loving relationship. They lived a dream through their holidays and adventures:

- on the QEII: 2003 final Trans-Atlantic season and, 2004, a 10 day world tour;

- to Singapore to see Paul and his family (Mikko, Joanna or Sowmya);

- to Fuerteventura and Tenerife to avoid UK cold Easters;

- visiting IoM , sometimes annually, to see Eileen and watch TT races;

- following the Red Arrow practising at Scampton, with cousin David
and his son Flt Lt Mark Zanker as a Red Arrows pilot...

... the list goes on – a dream-life which kept them active and close until their recent years of ill-health, the 2020 pandemic and its toll on their gregarious lives.

Since 2022, Diana found herself stranded, alone, without her closest friend, lost in a large house. She thought he was coming back, each day hoping not a ground-hog day. She was coping with her Parkinson’s condition but not without her daily close companion.

The move to Willow Tree House offered a very good safe place: sadly lacking the company she missed.

The cause of death was ‘coronary atheroma’. Perhaps ‘broken heart’ might be a better one. You decide.

Diana’s dream may now continue in peace with Francis: her ‘life-long’ friend.

This tribute was followed with: Roy Orbison, “In Dreams”

In loving memory of my half sister.Wish I had had more time to get to know you better