Born and raised in Norfolk County, Diane Luke married her husband, Charlie, right out of high school.
Working at the American Can for 26 years between Simcoe and Burlington, Luke left and began working at Annex Business Media in 2001.
Since retiring in 2013, Luke has used her free time to find ways to stay involved in the community.
One of the biggest projects she was involved in recently was with the Twilight Quilters Guild.
During the pandemic, Luke explains that the hobby group decided to make masks for the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit.
With the HNHU providing the necessary materials, Luke says they were able to make 5000 face masks in a month.
Continuing, Luke explains that the masks aren’t the only project the Quilters Guild has worked on.
Teaming up with the Norfolk Remembers committee, the Quilters built two quilts to commemorate Norfolk County’s contribution to World War 1.
The first quilt, Luke says, depicted what soldiers would have experienced.
The second quilt was embroidered with the signatures of over 250 people from Norfolk County who died as a result of the war.
Luke is also a member of the 100 Women Who Care group and has done presentations for the Langton Public School and Church out Serving’s Riverside 83 project.
One of the best parts of the 100 Women Who Care group, she says, is hearing about all the different charities and things going on in the community that she might have heard about otherwise.
In the past, Luke kept busy with her involvement with the Alzheimer’s Society.
Having seen the effects of Alzheimer’s firsthand, Luke was part of a team providing iPods for Alzheimer’s patients.
With music chosen by the family, Luke explains the iPods allowed Alzheimer’s patients a chance to relax since musical memories are one of the last things they would lose.
Currently, Luke is passionate about her work with the Lynn Valley Trail, having joined the Board in 2012.
The group, she explains, maintains the trail, working on rehabilitation projects thanks to funding from memberships.
While all of the projects she’s involved in might keep her busy, Luke says it’s easy to volunteer because Norfolk County is a fantastic community.
That being said, she knows there are still many projects that need help.
Luke encourages everyone to find something that excites them and do what they can to help.
Her full interview can be heard below: