Tribute to Diana

From ThyroWorld Volume 4, No 1

Diana Abramsky was the woman behind the Thyroid Foundation of Canada. With the help of a handful of loyal friends and supporters, she launched an organization that now stretches from coast to coast in Canada. Indeed, as part of her thyroid dream, her influence has carried beyond Canadian shores to other countries in the world. The Thyroid Federation International bears witness to that. She was its inspiration and Founder.

Diana died last autumn on October 9, Thanksgiving Day in Canada and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in the Jewish Calendar. The day of her departure from this life seemed doubly appropriate and fitting. For Diana's life and achievements, we are all deeply thankful. Every thyroid group and meeting - wherever it may be - owes a dept of gratitude to her. For Diana herself, she had little to "atone" for; she had made her reconciliation and peace.

But it was not made without a struggle, withoug a fight for the thyroid cause she so deeply believed in. Long-time friend and Legal Advisor to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada, Wally Viner once affectionately described Diana as a "noodge", a tenacious terrier who will simply not let go. And because she would not let go, changes in thyroid awareness, information and treatment were made.

Last June, the thyroid foundation of Canada held its Annual General Meeting in Kingston, Ontario, the city of its birth in July 1980. Although very frail in body, Diana was able to attend for a short time, her mind and spirit as quick and strong as ever. She knew us by name and remembered what each of us had done in the early days of the organization. Many of us realized that this might be our last opportunity to meet and greet her. The outpouring of affection was spontaneous and heartfelt.

Deep in the minutes of that meeting, there is some correspondence between Diana and another courageous lady, Isabel Sprague. Over the years, they had forged a close friendship, "a golden chain", each in turn helping the other through times of physical and emotional distress. Isabel wrote of what her friend had accomplished in this way:

"I think of a beautiful still pool into which a pebble is dropped, the ripples spreading, spreading, spreading. Your determination has brought that help to all of us."

June Rose-Beaty, Editor