NATALIA DIAKIW

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NATALIA DIAKIW It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Natalia Diakiw, peacefully during the early morning hours of Christmas Day 2010 at the Seven Oaks Hospital. Natalia leaves to mourn and cherish her memory, son Bohdan; daughter Myroslawa; the Drozd family of Chicago and many nieces and nephews in Ukraine. She was predeceased by her husband Mychajlo in 1991, her parents and brothers and sisters. Natalia was born on May 12, 1921 in selo Szeszerowyczi, Sadowa Wysznia W. Ukraine to Hryhorij and Kataryna Huk, the youngest of six children. After obtaining her education she worked in the cooperative. During the outbreak of the Second World War, she was taken to do forced labour in Austria where she remained for seven years. In 1948 she immigrated to Canada, settling in Winnipeg. Shortly afterwards, she met and in 1951, married Mychajlo Diakiw and started their life together. Natalia was very hard working. She was employed at the Misericordia Hospital and later at M S Meats Ltd. for many years. Our mother always felt a great responsibility to be involved in the Church and Ukrainian community. She was a member of Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church where she was actively involved in the UCWLC and later became a member of Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral. Our mother was a member of the UCWLC, Institute Prosvita and Dumka Choir for over 45 years. Her many interests included reading, politics and Ukrainian embroidering. She had a beautiful voice and she loved to sing. Our mother faced many challenges in her life. She became the primary caregiver to our father when he became ill in 1984, while at the same time coping with breast cancer. In the final years of her life, we faced our greatest struggle as a family dealing with dementia. Throughout this process we constantly turned to God for guidance and strength and we strongly believed that it was His will to care for our mother so that she could remain at home with us until her passing. The life lessons we learned during those difficult years and the tight bond that they created will last us a lifetime. We would like to extend our gratitude to Dr. T.R. Babick for his excellent care, kindness and compassion which made our mother's visits so enjoyable. Sincere thank you to Dr. J. Moncek and the nursing staff of Level 5, Unit 4, Seven Oaks Hospital. Thank you to the Lab Techs at Parkview Medical Centre. A private family service has taken place. Mama we will love you forever, till we reunite with you and Dad in God's Kingdom. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2010