Diane F. Colquhoun

Dr. Diane Colquhoun, at age 66, of Battle Creek, Michigan, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

She will be profoundly missed by her family and wide circle of friends. Diane is survived by her three loving children, Peter, Gillian and Brigitte, her mother Frances (nee Arditto) Fredal, her siblings Carol (Roger) Abiragi, Janet (Bruce) Wyman, Thomas (Ann) Fredal, Susan (Billy) Tuinier, Patricia (Gianluigi) Visentin and her countless adoring nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Dr. Joseph J. Fredal and husband, Dr. Jeffrey P. Colquhoun.

Born Diane Marie Fredal on April 24,1957 to Joseph and Frances in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, she grew up in a large loving family, the third of six children, on picturesque Cottontail Lane in Shelby Township, Michigan. One of the earliest family highlights was listening to her harmonize in song with her sister Suzie while accompanied on the piano by her beloved father.

Known as Didi to those closest to her, she absorbed herself in classical literature and found satisfaction in learning life skills from her mother, especially knitting, sewing, and mastering her famous homemade pies. She dearly cherished this “simple life” and carried it throughout her life.

Diane’s gifts of song and expression earned her memorable roles in her high school musicals – aptly cast as the spicy Rosie in “Bye Bye Birdie,” the sassy Lucy in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” and the song-loving Marian the Librarian in “The Music Man.” Her wanderlust led her to spend a high school summer in the Netherlands, where she formed life-long friendships with her hosts, Henny and Vim.

After graduating in 1975 as Valedictorian from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, she earned dual bachelor’s degrees: a BA in English and BS in Zoology from the University of Michigan in 1979. She was ever inspired by Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, and the world of children’s literature. At U of M, she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society.

While attending Wayne State Medical School, she providently found a study pal and running buddy in Jeff Colquhoun, with whom she created a deep bond of friendship. Living in Hamtramck, she balanced her studies singing in a local gospel choir and reading books to the neighborhood children who happened by. She achieved her Medical Doctorate degree in 1983.

Diane’s curiosity to know unfamiliar cultures led her on medical school rotations to far-off Sri Lanka and England and to the beauty of Northern Michigan in Petoskey. She

later backpacked through Europe with her sister, Patti, together exploring their heritage in Northern Italy.

Diane completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe. During this time, she formed a close friendship with Monsignor Canfield at St. Paul on the Lake and lent her beautiful voice to the St. Paul choir. She began her medical practice in the ER and later in the adult medicine department at St. John Medical Center Masonic Internal Medicine Clinic. She made Grosse Pointe Woods home and became an enthusiastic member of the Junior League of Detroit.

Diane’s spirit of adventure led her to scuba diving, golfing, sailing, visits to Europe and ski trips with friends. Years later, after exchanging Christmas cards, she reconnected with Jeff. A first official date occurred at Thanksgiving, and this time it was Jeff’s own key lime pie which sparked their eternal love.

After marrying in 1991, Jeff and Diane built their home in Battle Creek on Lake Goguac. Here, they started their family and continued their medical careers, caringly attending to the ophthalmological and internal medicine needs of the community. Diane was known by many patients for her gentle kindness and beautiful listening ear. She was a most devoted wife and a loving mother to the three children with whom she and Jeff were blessed. She was also known for her sweet stubbornness, attention to detail, and endless, open-armed hospitality. No one was a stranger to Diane.

Together, her family lived out their sheer love of outdoorsy sports and dedication to fitness. Early on, Diane enjoyed running, swimming, golfing, and hosting family and friends for tubing and waterskiing enjoyment. Nothing thrilled her more than cheering on her children and friends from the sidelines and encouraging Jeff’s tri athletic endeavors. In time, she cherished long-walks with all who loved her.

Diane enjoyed trips to the family home in Fort Myers Beach. As a Master Gardener alongside Jeff, she nurtured the family farm and their garden created for community use. The Colquhoun Family Harvest Festivals hosted there are legendary, marked by memories of Clydesdale horse-drawn hayrides and country bands.

Above all else, Diane lived her life serving our Lord. She shared the gospel with anyone she met - with family, with friends, with patients, with strangers on the street. Her life goal was to make a kingdom centered impact and she so clearly had her eyes so eternally fixed on our Lord. Her marriage and family were anchored in faith. She trusted the Lord to guide her through every trial including caring for her husband during his 10 year battle with cancer and loving him until his last breath. For thirty years they scripted their story, a story of self-giving love that continues to touch the hearts of everyone who entered its inspiring pages.

Diane thrived on volunteering and giving to others. Together, she and Jeff dove into mission work serving both domestically and abroad. With servants’ hearts and willing spirits, they were instrumental in maintaining an eye hospital in the small village of Zimba, Zambia, where Diane and Jeff lent their medical skills and grew relationships. Their children sometimes joined these trips. Their mission was to share the Good News of the Gospel and to humbly heal at the service of Jesus, the great physician from whom all healing comes.

When we think of heaven, we picture Diane and Jeff sailing off into the sunset on Jeff’s boat, dancing freely in each other’s arms.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the multitude of friends touched by Diane over her lifetime for their care and support during this challenging time.

A private service and burial were held on December 12, 2023, with interment at Battle Creek Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:
The Haven of Rest Ministries of Battle Creek, thehavenbc.org
The Food Bank of Southwest Michigan, smfoodbank.org