We remember Diana (Dee) Ruth Padfield, who passed away on September 14, 2025, at the age of 87, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Dee’s legacy at Queen’s University spans three decades of dedicated service, beginning in 1970 in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Her contributions ranged from editing academic publications and supporting faculty committees to managing the part-time studies program. She later served as Executive Assistant to two Vice Principals—Resources and Academic—where her leadership and insight helped shape key institutional initiatives.

Among her many accomplishments, Dee played a pivotal role in the founding of the Queen’s Aboriginal Council and the Queen’s Aboriginal Student Centre (now known as Four Directions Student Indigenous Student Centre), reflecting her commitment to equity, inclusion, and meaningful engagement.

In 1998, Dee was honoured with a Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her as a “superb administrator and exemplar of excellence, hard work, and achievement.” Her legacy continues to inspire those who seek to understand the profound impact of staff members on university life.

To honour Dee’s memory and her enduring contributions to Queen’s, we invite you to make a gift in her name. Your support will help continue the values she championed—community, inclusion, and service.