Diana Chase
'When in doubt, do!' Diana's philosophy at the bridge table was true of her approach to life. Live every day, every minute to the full. And she did.
Diana (with an 'a) was born Diana Dunbar in Guildford on All Saints' Day 1935. Her parents separated when she was a toddler and from Kindergarten through to Leaving, she boarded at Perth College where her mother taught. Holidays on family dairy farms in the South West gave her a love of country life, of animals, of riding, of playing games and sports of all kinds - and a lifelong aversion to milk. She loved PC. The nuns and teachers helped her develop amongst a myriad of things, her passion for writing, reading, history, poetry, hockey, swimming and tennis. Many close friendships too dated from those days.
Teachers' College followed her school years. Diana's first appointment was to a class of 60 infants in the migrant area of Medina. She survived because she could always get into a child's mind and had a great sense of humour. A few years later, in January 1958, Diana married newly-graduated engineer Chris Chase. They sailed immediately for Canada, both taking up jobs in Toronto. In 1959 their daughter Belinda was born and they discovered a new bridge system, Standard American. A year teaching in a secondary modern in Britain followed, with quick trips to the Continent, Belinda, in tow. Six years later they arrived back home.
Teaching, the birth of sons, Stephen and Ben, beginning a Creative Writing degree at WAIT (Curtin University) and the move into an old cottage in Congdon Street, Swanbourne kept Diana busy. She found time for tennis, bridge, Rottnest, camping, expanding friendships and adding the first of many dogs named Jessie or Dusty to the family. The children grew up, established careers, moved out of home. Later came the blessing of grandchildren.
Over all these years Diana was drawn more and more to writing. She edited Historicus, a his-tory journal for teachers, before leaving the profession to work with me in a business, ‘Research and Write’. We were commissioned to write all kinds of material, from the story of the two great wars through cartoons, to a history of the Shire of Capel. They were productive years. Diana's energy, tenacity, and sense of fun enlivening our work and our triendship.
After Chris died suddenly in 1999, Diana struggled to regain her joie de vivre. Slowly she began a new life, opening her house to overseas students, travelling, and writing more children's fiction. Writing became an addiction: no day was complete without some time spent at her computer, dogs at her feet, pouring out her endless ideas in stories. She believed in the old values, honesty, integrity, compassion, courage, and without preaching, her books carried these messages. Her writing grew more sure, more recognised for its quality and professionalism. Avid readers wrote to her and she answered every letter. She also spoke during Book Week to children at schools and libraries, often wearing a hat with a rakish feather or bunch of fruit to get things going. The dress-up box at Congdon Street was a treasure trove.
Over the last year she began to play more bridge. She had a fine card sense, using it and her keen mind to play an aggressive and successful game. Her bridge partners expanded and she went to congresses in WA, the Gold Coast and in June this year to Vietnam. She died there suddenly on 4th July. Her family and friends mourn the loss of a generous and loving friend. When I come to making decisions though, Diana will still be with me, in daily life as at the bridge table advising "Val - when in doubt, do!"
Valerie Krantz
Published in August 2008 Edition of Trumps Plus
