Obituary of Mary Diakuw

DIAKUW - On February 2, 2011 we had to say goodbye to the sweetheart of our lives, our beloved Mom, Mary Diakuw. Mom was the youngest of seven children of Helen and Luke Sliva. She received her education and married the love of her life, Mike Diakuw. The two were always busy. After moving from the farm, they resided in Buchanan where they ran the Cockshutt shop and the theatre. When Vivian and Margie arrived on the scene, they were two rays of sunshine that always took part in the busy household - one of Mom's favourite stories was how the two little girls were helping one day, and decided to tidy up and get rid of bagfuls of loose change by giving it to the neighbourhood children! Eventually, Mom and Dad made the big move to the big city of Yorkton. Debbie was born and Mom was busy with life at home. The family was the absolute centre of Mom's life. Everything Mom did was to make our lives happier and more comfortable. Mom was a gifted seamstress and made many beautiful clothes for her little girls, our dolls and for herself. Mom had a wonderful sense of style and could fashion a dashing scarf from a scrap of fabric to perfectly accent an outfit. She was a fine knitter and was a welcome help at the church bazaar when she organized the knitting table. Mom's cooking was the best we will ever eat in this life; nothing will ever be as delicious or as filled with love as the wonderful meals she always made for us. Mom's garden was always beautiful; she loved nothing better than working in her neat yard. Because she started all her own plants her goal was always to have ripe tomatoes by the time of the Fair and she always did. One of her most exciting moments was when her garden was featured on "Canadian Gardener". Whenever we had to take cakes to school or to any function, Mom's was always easy to pick out because of the artistic way she would decorate them. Mom's artistic flair was also expressed in her paintings, a hobby that came later but was much enjoyed. But no matter how busy she was, everything Mom did was always for her family; we were the center of the universe. All her efforts and her work were to make things better and nicer for us. We are the luckiest children in the world to have had a Mom who gave of herself so unselfishly and so tirelessly. Debbie will never forget how Mom made her "theme" birthday parties complete with costumes for everyone who was invited! Mom was an active member of St. Gerard's Parish and a member of CWL. She was very proud of the fact that she and Debbie were mother-daughter Eucharistic Ministers. She was the manager of Prairie Advertising Distributors for many years and managed to fit that in with all her other projects. In spite of failing health for many years Mom always managed to maintain a cheerful outlook on life, and as always, her happiest moments were those when her family was with her. Mom was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Luke Sliva, Daddy's parents, Grandma and Grandpa Diakow; her beloved husband Michael; daughter Vivian, beloved grandson Nathan, her precious little grand-dog Lady, sisters and brothers-in-law, Nellie & Joe, Annie & Vincent, Frances & Jake; sister-in-law Annie, brother Joe; brother and sister-in-law, Louis & Olga; great nephew Joey Sliva; sister-in-law, Polly and brother-in-law, Joe; sister-in-law, Annie and little angel; her sister-in-law, Jean and brother-in-law, John; her sister-in-law, Nellie and brother-in-law, Frank. She leaves to cherish her life her daughter Margie; her daughter Debbie and "son" Keith; her much loved grand-dog Toby, brother Mike and sister-in- law Hilda, sister-in-law Zonie and many nephews and nieces who were always cherished. Prayers were held on Friday, February 4th at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton. Margie Diakuw offered the reading. The pianist, Katherine Flaman and St. Gerard's Choir led in the singing of the hymns, "Amazing Grace", "Psalm 121", Serdeczna Matko" and "Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet". The funeral mass was held on Saturday, February 5th at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Francis Hengen as the Celebrant. Serving as the cross bearer was Rejean Houle. Pianist, Lorraine Lysak along with St. Gerard's Choir led in the singing of the hymns, "This Day God Gives Me", "Psalm 27", "Be Not Afraid", "Seed, Scattered and Sown", "Song of the Angels" and "God Created Earth and Heaven". The readings were offered by Debbie & Keith Hayward. Prayers of the Faithful were led by Cheryl Sliva. Serving in an honour guard were members of the Catholic Women's League. The interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Rodney Hrynchyshyn, Danny Sliva, Steve Suik, Barry Fiendell, Lorne Sliva and David Sliva serving as the casket bearers. Special thank you to Dr. Lee and the wonderful staff at First South of the Yorkton and District Nursing Home and to Fr. Francis Hengen for his support. Memorials in Mary's memory may be made to Mass Offerings, St. Gerard's Church or the S.P.C.A. Condolences to the family may be forwarded to baileysfuneralhome@sasktel.net Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Saturday, February 5th, 2011 10:00am, St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens