Diana French is the latest recipient of the Apple Pie Society award in Williams Lake.
In 2024 the society formed to recognize outstanding volunteers who help make the community a better place.
Members of the society presented French with a home-made apple pie on Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the dining room at Seniors Village where French lives.
“Today we have the honour of recognizing an outstanding volunteer who lives here,” said Kerry Cook during the presentation, adding French lived and volunteered in Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Bridge Lake and finally Williams Lake where she has lived since 1970. "Diana, wherever she has lived, has dedicated her life to making a difference by volunteering and doing what she loves to do."
When Cook mentioned it was being presented to French, there was a loud applause from the other residents in the dining room.
French was the founding member and was president of the first SD27 Community School Association, a group of parents that worked with the district.
She served on many boards such as the Centennial Committee, was a school board trustee, Williams Lake Minor Hockey, Williams Lake Minor Baseball, Association for Community Living, Cariboo Friendship Society, Williams Lake Environmental Society, the BC Cowboy Heritage Society, Williams Lake Advisory Planning and Museum committees, numerous federal and provincial government advisory committees such as the Salmonid Advisory and Spicer Commission.
She served as president and chair of organizations such as the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, BC Cowboy Hall of Fame, Williams Lake and District Museum and Historical Society.
Always interested in politics, she worked on numerous election campaigns at the local, provincial and federal level. She and her late husband Bob French were also caretakers for the Stampede Association for two years.
A museum curator for 10 years, she was involved with setting up and establishing B.C.’s only ranching/rodeo museum with the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame.
French was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
She continues to write a weekly column for the Tribune, something else she does as a volunteer.
French told the Tribune she was surprised but it was kind of nice to receive the award.
"I wasn't expecting it," she said.
She said she shared the pie with her table mates at lunch and some with a friend who does grocery shopping for her.
