DIAK - Mrs.
Mary Diak of Yorkton passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at the
Yorkton Regional Health Centre. She was 95 years of age.
DIAK - Mrs.
Mary Diak of Yorkton passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at the
Yorkton Regional Health Centre. She was 95 years of age.
Mary was born on November 4, 1911 on her parents farm in the Good Spirit Lake District of Saskatchewan; a daughter of Sam and Ann Popowich. She received her education at Black Poplar Country School. Mary then worked on the family farm and also worked out at farm homes as a housemaid. In 1932 she was united in Holy Matrimony to Peter Diak. Peter and Mary were blessed with two sons: Mervin and Elmer and a daughter Sylvia. The couple farmed in the district southwest of Burgis for 41 years; where Mary worked hard milking cows, churning butter, raising chickens, stooking, pitching hay, pitching sheaves into the threshing machine and more; attending to her two gardens with ¼ to ½ miles away in walking distances. As well as her household chores Mary baked bread and pastries, made quilts and embroidery, sewing, knitting, crocheting and prepared daily meals. She prepared and served three meals and two lunches a day to a team of 14 workers or more during threshing time. After Peter's health started to deteriorate they decided to make a decision and retired from farming and relocate to Yorkton in 1973 where they purchased a home.
Following the death of her husband, Mary continued to reside at her home with her daughter and son-in-law until she passed away.
Mary was predeceased by her parents: Sam and Anne Popowich; a sister Maggie Spilchen; brothers: Bill, John, Mike, Fred, Dan and Nick; also many sisters-in-law and brothers-in- law; nieces and nephews. She leaves to cherish her memory and to celebrate her life her sons: Mervin (Eileen) of Winnipeg and Elmer (Evelyn) of Sault Ste. Marie; her daughter Sylvia (Raymond) Robinson of Yorkton; five grandchildren: Doris Diak, Tim Diak, Patti-Anne (Michel) Fortier, Bradley (Nicola) Diak, Jason (Karen) Diak; six great grandchildren: Rebecca, Stephanie, Ethan, Callum, Ashton and Avery; two sisters: Nellie Popowich and Pauline Bonsal; one brother George Popowich; sisters-in-law Lena (late John) Popowich, Rose (late Mike) Popowich, Pauline (late Fred) Popowich, George (Lena) Popowich, along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends. From the past to the present Mary enjoyed scrap-booking (recipes), newspaper reading, soap operas on TV, playing cards and shuffleboard, gardening, shopping, singing, going out for coffee, watching the ducks and geese on the water at Jaycee Beach and York Lake. Her family will remember her as a quiet, loving, caring and giving mother. A very "generous" person to many people in her lifetime she was one who would put her own matters aside and listen to others and giving advice if asked for. Although she had her own handicaps Mary still maintained her humorous ways and as a devout Catholic and Christian her everyday prayers were directed not only for family and needy, but also for the strength of the people in the church, medical personnel, police and fire services, leaders of our country and province, producers of our food and many others in our society.
Prayers were held on Friday, November 17th at the Chapel of Bailey's Funeral Home. Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday, November 18th at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Fr. Frank Szadiak, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. Ed. Pindus, Colette Karapita and Parish Choir members led in the singing of the responses. The epistle reader was Bradley Diak and the crossbearer was George Popowich. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Steve Popowich, Peter Popowich, Bradley Diak, Jason Diak, Wayne Popowich and Mervin Schmidt serving as the casket bearers. Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home.