Obituary of Diane Sponagle
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lillian Diane (Munro) Sponagle, age 74, on December 28th, 2024, at the Aberdeen Hospital.
Born in New Glasgow and raised in Gairloch to parents Daniel and Alice (Dooley) Munro, Diane grew up in a house full of music. She started highland dance at a very young age and the bagpipes shortly after. By her teens, Diane was a talented piper, performing in the Dunvegan Girls Pipe Band and in later years, the award-winning Fraser Holmes Ladies Pipe Band. Diane graduated from West Pictou High School with clerical training and later trained as a bookkeeper, managing two businesses, Sponagle’s Transmission Shop and Sponagle’s Music Shop, alongside her husband, Barry.
Diane’s musical skills were not limited to the bagpipes. She was a very talented singer and could play any stringed instrument you handed her. Diane would also go on to play and sing all over northern Nova Scotia with the band Country Express. She was an incredible cook, had a creative eye and the sharpest mind. Despite all of Diane’s accomplishments and talents, her proudest achievement was her two children, Michelle and Christopher. She deeply loved her stepchildren Shannon and Shane and all her beautiful grandchildren as well.
Diane is survived by her husband Barry Sponagle, daughter Michelle (Vince) Angst, son Christopher Sponagle, stepdaughter Shannon (Alastair) Jarvis, stepson Shane (Lisa) Sponagle, brother Dan Munro, sisters-in-law Sheila (Greg) Allan and Dawn (Bill) Watters, brother-in-law, Glenn (Susan) Sponagle and all their children and grandchildren.
Diane had an unparalleled ability to connect with everyone she met. She listened intently and showed so much genuine interest and support to anyone she spoke with. She was the epitome of strength and grace, the definition of beautiful both inside and out and had a way of making everyone she met feel truly seen and valued. The world just lost one of the most beautiful and understanding women that ever lived. It is an immense loss for our family but God has surely gained an angel.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Eagles Funeral Home in Westville. There will be no visitation. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at St Andrew’s Cemetery in Gairloch. Memorial donations may be made to the North Nova SPCA.
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