RUSSELL-DIETRICH, Fiona Mary
Born Sunday June 01, 1969. Passed away Friday December 26, 2025.
Passed away suddenly at South West Healthcare Warrnambool, surrounded by her family. Dearly loved wife of Mathew. Cherished mum of Joseph, Samantha, Elizabeth, Madeleine, Anna, Milly, Max, Abbagayle and Michael (dec). Loved Nan of Eliott and Kaylee.
Funeral notice
The Funeral of Mrs. Fiona Mary Russell-Dietrich will be held at the Colac Lawn Cemetery, Gravesend Street, Colac on Friday, January 2, 2026 commencing at 12pm.
Tributes
Leave a tributeTo Mathew and family
No words can express our emotions on hearing of Fionna's death. Our dear little girl across the hill who became an extension of our family. From music cooking and just having fun our dear Fiona. Hugs to all the family
Tony Evie and Jacob Burke from Hervey BayJanuary 19, 2026 1:18 pm
Our Deepest Sympathy to all Fiona's Family. Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
With Love. Steve, Jill, Ruby and Bella O'Dowd.January 04, 2026 10:03 pm
Rest in peace dear Fiona.Sympathy to all the family.Loving memories. Janine
January 01, 2026 6:50 pm
We are sad to hear of Fiona's death. She faced so many challenges from the word go and learned the hard way that life is not fair. Yet she moved through each challenge with resilience with a desire to be there for those she loved the most. She will be missed and we feel for Matt and the kids. Yet, we whisper many a 'thank you' to the sky hoping she catches one of them … thank you for being you; thank you for loving fiercely your family and friends; thank you that you leave a mark on people's hearts that will always say, "You are missed" She now goes back to a place, a home that will not be strange to her. In the arms of those who wait to hold her close it will be as if she never left.
Ed and Shirl Morrissy.January 01, 2026 12:32 pm
May the Lord bless you Fiona.
Sincerest sympathy to your family.
A much respected mum of the Warrion playgroup in our early days.
Laureen ChantDecember 31, 2025 1:36 pm
Rest easy mum. It’s such a shock but i know you are going to be so excited to catch up with everyone up there. There are so many memories of us together, simple like when i didn’t want to go to school you’d take me to hulms bakery and we would grocerie shop together, always running into someone you knew and talking for what seemed like forever. pulling us out of school at st. brendans to get our feet done by frank de lorenzo. sure, it hurt, yes. but visiting ritchos next door afterwards always made it worth it. The time i got one of maxs fish hooks stuck in my toe is definitely up there. Always telling me off for touching your tarot cards or for hanging off the clothes line at tomahawk which we eventually broke… from doing exactly that😅. so many trips to nans in alvie after school will always be cherished by us all, you raised all of us up so well and encouraged us to engage in activities and build community in the colac area just like you were raised. 8 kids in 11 years, no one could handle that! but you did, and did so extremely well. Im sorry that life was always difficult for you, from hodgkins in the 90s to the house fire in 2004 to everything else inbetween but you somehow always made do with what was delt to you, and that’s incredible. you never deserved any of it. without you i wouldnt have a majority of my personality, im going to miss your sausage rolls hopefully i can match their level one day.
who’s jeans and jackets will i steal now?!Love, Ban Ban xx
December 31, 2025 12:37 pm
Sending all our love to Fiona’s family at this very sad time. Lots of beautiful and funny memories of Fiona and the Russell family. Fiona spent a lot of time at Nana Dots being next door neighbours. Fiona never changed. Loved her family and was always up for chat. Greeted with a hug always and walked away laughing. She had an infectious laugh. Take care of one another and hold onto the love and memories.
Shellie, Brett Harty& family
December 31, 2025 8:59 am
Sending our Deepest Sympathy & Love to Mathew, Family & All Russell Siblings. Nothing prepares us for times like this, Love & Caring Thoughts to All. Annette Morrissy & Family
December 30, 2025 9:41 pm
To Matthew and family. I am truly saddened for your loss. Fiona was my youngest cousin and I will miss her very much, as will you. My deepest sympathy to you all.
Terry Russell
December 30, 2025 3:39 pm
Deepest sympathy to Matt and your beautiful children.fiona i will miss our chats of old school days,family and friends you always made me laugh.rest peacefully beautiful soul.love mandi jon trent luke josh bryony april and aria 🕊🥂
December 30, 2025 3:30 pm
Rest in peace my dearly loved and cherished sister. Since the day you were born you filled my heart and soul with joy and happiness. You will forever be with me in my heart. May the angels keep you safe and take you to all of our passed family members.
God Bless you now and always.December 30, 2025 2:00 pm
Sending all my love to your family, I have nothing but lovely memories with you Fiona. You were never without a smile on your face and something to laugh about.
Reunited with your lovely Mum and Michael. X
December 30, 2025 11:23 am
So very sad to hear of the passing of our niece and cousin Fiona. Sending our condolences to all her family and thinking of them all at this sad time.
Tom, Liz(dec), Leigh(dec) Peter (dec) and Joanne Morrissy. That you.
December 30, 2025 11:20 am
Rest in peace Fiona, my deepest sympathy to Mat and the family.
December 30, 2025 8:33 am
Mathew,
Sorry to hear of the loss of Fiona.
Remembering the old days at Warrion. She was an outgoing, caring and loving Mum to all your beautiful children. Our hearts go out to you and your family
Chris and Trish LenehanDecember 30, 2025 7:46 am
Sorry for your lose Liz and family sending condolences from my family to yours
December 30, 2025 2:20 am
Liz,Sam and family, Sincere condolences on the loss of your mum / wife. Thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Nicole Howard.
December 30, 2025 1:45 am
Mum, I can’t believe I’m writing this.
Thank you for everything , you put everyone and everything before yourself and you gave us everything we ever needed and more no matter what. I learnt so many good things from you. I can’t believe we are saying goodbye for now. I never thought this day would come. Samantha and I are here because you and dad fought hard to help us live, we are forever your miracle twins. I know how proud you are of Sam and I and all us kids and I’m so happy with all the positive things I got to share with you over the past couple weeks and achievements throughout my life and it’s going to be hard to not be able to talk to you or see you or hug you again. It’s going to hard to not grow old together or for you to never be at my wedding or for any future events or achievements but I know you’ll always be there in spirit. You showed me so much good music an diffrent eras and genres and I grew up watching so many music videos constantly on tv with you and listening to cds. I’m so happy that we shared the love of music and you got to hear me sing throughout my life and for our late night music sessions and chats and hearing stories throughout your life.
You’s taught me to work hard,gratitude and so many different skills and other wonderful things. You were the best cook and house wife to ever exist and you and Nan passed that down to us all. You are a proud devoted mum and partner and you absolutely loved being a mum and a nan. This has been so unexpected and sudden but I know you will be chatting for hours on end and enjoying your favourite drinks,listening to your fav music at full blast and cooking the most amazing meals with all your loved ones in heaven and especially spending time with your mum and dad and brother and Michael who I know you missed and loved so much. I wish I could see the reactions to your arrival. I know you’re free now and can put yourself first and do whatever you wish now. I know you’ll have so much to pass on an to catch up with. You’ll be giving nan the biggest hug from us all and enjoying her scones. I will miss you until we meet again, I know youll always be around us and sending miracles our way but it will be hard to go on without you. I love you mum. Thank you.December 29, 2025 11:12 pm
Thinking of all the families and friends Liz and Sam I’m always here this is a big shock let me no if need anything sending love hugs and condolences 💐 ❤️❤️
December 29, 2025 10:24 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. Both Gary and I loved catching up with Fiona, always with a smile and a chat xxx
December 29, 2025 9:58 pm
Dear Maddy and family,
I’m very sad to hear the passing of your mum. May she be at peace and you have loving memories to get you through.
TrudyDecember 29, 2025 9:11 pm
Liz, Sam and all the family, sending our love to you all on the sudden loss of your mum/wife. Xxx
Raelene, Darren, Trent, Sarah and Josh.December 29, 2025 9:10 pm
Deepest Condolences to Mathew and families
Sending love and my deepest Sympathy to you all
SusanDecember 29, 2025 8:51 pm
So many memories over many years . From lending me your school jumper for school photos to your wedding and starting your family . All my love to Mathew and Jo ,Elizabeth ,Samatha ,Madeline ,Anna Max ,Millie and Abby .
Until we meet again
Catherine and Paul ( dec).December 29, 2025 8:24 pm
So very shocked and saddened by the news of Fiona’s passing. Thinking of you Mathew, Joseph,Samantha,Elizabeth,Madeline, Anna,Milly,Max and Abbagayle at this very very sad time. Fiona my friend our very short but intense catch ups will be missed R.I.P
Love to you all Fiona and Mark WadeDecember 29, 2025 7:52 pm
I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Fiona. She was such a kind and caring person and a hard worker. My time working with Fiona at Bonlac was a pleasure. Fly high lovely lady and my deepest condolences to you Mathew and your beautiful family.
Sandra BuckinghamDecember 29, 2025 7:10 pm
Sending my deepest of condolences to Mathew and children on the passing of your wife/mum,
December 29, 2025 6:48 pm
Our Deepest Sympathies to Fiona’s family and friends for her passing.We hope that Matthew and the children have plenty of support from the community.
December 29, 2025 5:48 pm