Grandparent of the Year: Dianne Dowinton

LAUGHTER and inspiration are behind Luella Taylor’s nomination of her grandmother Dianne Dowinton for Grandparent of the Year. The Channel Islands Co-operative Society-sponsored award recognises those who encourage their grandchildren to grow into caring, strong people with fulfilling lives.

LAUGHTER and inspiration are behind Luella Taylor’s nomination of her grandmother Dianne Dowinton for Grandparent of the Year.

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society-sponsored award recognises those who encourage their grandchildren to grow into caring, strong people with fulfilling lives.

Dianne’s name was put forward by Luella because of the way she overcame Covid-19 and bounced back into her community and family role.

When Dianne caught the virus earlier this year she had to go into hospital, but is now on the road to making a full recovery and is back to work at St Peter’s Post Office.

Luella said she was very proud of her grandmother’s resilience.

‘It was such a shock when she caught Covid, it really hit home hard how serious it was. I remember the last time I saw her before she went into hospital because it had to be through the glass, even my mum had to move out because of a potential risk, it was really scary.

‘But she was such a trooper, she’s also the luckiest woman you’ll ever meet. We weren’t allowed to visit her in hospital but we knew she was getting better because her sense of humour was there.’

Dianne is part of the new generation of grandparents because she does not sit back in a rocking chair enjoying her retirement.

Luella said she is the rock of the family.

‘Now she’s resumed her old life because she takes care of my great-grandmother, and she takes care of us, she walks her dog, she works all the time.

‘She’s famous in Guernsey because she seems to know absolutely everyone, she’s so kind and full of happiness and joy, everyone loves her.

‘She’s always making me laugh and she has the best sense of humour – I can chat with her about anything.’