Diana Day Piket,born in Redmile Nottinghamshire, England was a true pioneer and important part of early Cumberland. In 1882 Diana and her husband John Henry Piket emigrated to Denman Island. The Piket family soon established a farm where they grew vegetables and raised livestock. In July 1885 her first born son Len was the first white child to be born on Denman. The only neighbors remotely close to them were from the Comox Indian Tribe. At this time the closest doctor lived in Nanaimo with only one boat a month. The risk taker in Diana took a canoe all the way to Nanaimo to have a baby.

By August 1889 Diana was in Union running one of the company boarding houses. Mrs. Robert Swan would supply her with foodstuffs from the farm, as well as mattresses and comforters. The majority of her fresh produce and meat came from her farm on Denman Island. At times she would travel from Union to Fanny Bay, row across to Denman Island and back in order to pick up the produce.

Diana and John bought the Cumberland Hotel a few months after it opened on January 1, 1894. The hotel received grand reviews and was often said to be one of the best hotels in the province. Business was booming so Diana built a large hall in the lot next to the hotel. Cumberland Hotel and Hall were central to social and business life in early Cumberland. Due to her catering and entertaining proficiency Diana hosted such events as the banquet in honor of Governor General Earl Grey’s visit and the Lieutenant-Governor James Dunsmuir.

In 1896 after John and Diana separated Diana continued to run the Cumberland Hotel. John Bruce moved in and ran the bar. John Henry Piket started a soda-water bottling company and bought the Spring Inn, more commonly called the Halfway House. According to local legend, Halfway House was considered a brothel and den of iniquity, and was set on fire by a group of angry woman. This was after John Henry had lost it over debts sometime in 1911. The Halfway House was located on Courtenay Cumberland Road so it was a popular stop for anyone traveling along the major road.

In 1909 Diana retired and leased the hotel to William Merrifield, and eventually in 1912 William and his brother bought it for $8500. She bought a house (3312 Fifth) which she called Belvoir Villa. She continued to take in boarders as well as host many garden parties. When her grandchildren used to stay with her for the weekend she would choose one who was considered the princess or prince. These titles exempt you from having to do any chores for that weekend.

Diana was an active member in many organizations including the Harmony Rebekah Lodge, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, UCDH, as well as the CGH Ladies’ Auxiliary. In 1914 John Piket died. Diana married Jack in 1916, but Jack unfortunately died in July of 1917.

In 1926 Diana sold her house and moved to Union Bay to live with her daughter. Soon after, she was admitted to the hospital for a short term stay, after which, she went to live with her son Len in Comox.

Diana died in 1934 at the age of 79 at the St Josephs Hospital . She is buried in the Cumberland Graveyard in between her two husbands John.