News & Events

Tribute to Dianne Kipnes 

CapitalCare shares in the sad news of the passing of Dr. Dianne Kipnes, Dec 26, 2024. Dianne has been a supporter, advocate and ambassador for CapitalCare for over two decades. Her passionate support of seniors in care helped to create quality spaces and enhancements for seniors living in care. She worked to find unique opportunities to create the everyday moments of connection that make a difference in the lives of residents and families. She shared this passion with the Edmonton community and encouraged others to join her and Irv in this work.

Dianne’s work with CapitalCare started in the 90s, first as a member and then as Chair of the CapitalCare Foundation Board. She quickly became an avid fundraiser, starting with a small fundraising dinner in her home that brought family and friends together. Through her dedication this small dinner became the Valentine’s Gala, a signature event at the Hotel MacDonald and later the Edmonton Convention Centre with over 800 people attending. Each year, Dianne and Irv were deeply involved to ensure the event brought attention to the need for quality continuing care.

In 2000, this fundraising work led Dianne and Irv to become the lead supporters to build a replacement veterans centre, now called the CapitalCare Kipnes Centre for Veterans. Their work helped to create a home for more than 120 senior veterans in Edmonton. As Dianne envisioned, this centre raised the bar for seniors care and provided a much-needed new home exemplifying the goal: “Serving Those who Served.”  She made sure to be there on opening day, greeting veterans at the door of their new home. The centre continues to be a welcoming place for veterans, seniors, and others who need long term care support. Their work to create quality spaces for seniors in care continued with support of projects like the new building, the Gene Zwozdesky Centre.

Dianne’s deep compassion led her to continue to be involved in the centre. For many years she and Irv helped to bring the holiday spirit by providing holiday décor and joyful ambience for the veterans, families and staff. Dianne was able to create unique opportunities for residents to experience fine art and music by bringing together charities they supported. When the National Arts Centre visited Edmonton she connected the Kipnes Veterans Centre to bring high calibre arts to seniors and veterans who were able to witness Edmonton Opera and National Arts singers. It was a powerful event that demonstrated the impact music had for seniors and those living with dementia.

CapitalCare is so grateful for our time with Dianne and share in the sadness of the loss of an incredible person who fully demonstrated the meaning of being a pillar of the community. We will remember her heartfelt support that made moments happen and lives better. Her work will continue to improve the lives of seniors and those in continuing care for years to come. We will forever and fondly remember Dr. Dianne Kipnes for being an ambassador and friend of seniors and veterans, leaving a legacy that will endure.