Obituary of Janet Diduck
Janet was the daughter of John and Bella Gawryliuk of Theodore. She grew up on the family farm and went to school in Theodore. Her first job consisted of working with her sister Dolores in a fast food business they co-owned in Drayton Valley, Alberta. She returned to Saskatchewan a few years later and starting working at Zellers where she was the manager of the Skillet Restaurant.
Janet married the love of her life, Ron Diduck on October 24, 1981. They were the perfect couple. Everything was done together and they enjoyed farming, fishing, cooking, attending family reunions and celebrations and going to the casino. ‘’ He was the man of my dreams,’’ Janet would often say. He was an amazing father to her young children Holly and Shawn. They built a new home on the family farm and embraced living in the countryside. Spring and fall were exciting and happy times, especially for Holly and Shawn. They loved to see the new born calves, the baby kittens and having a dog became wonderful memories for them of the farm. Harvest time was also memorable with riding the combine and supper in the field adding to the joys of farm life. This was Janets happy place and she would say the best place to live was on the farm.
Janet loved to cook and her passion for that landed her first career job at the Zellers where she was the manager of the Skillet Restaurant. Her hard work, dedication and professionalism resulted in her going to various provinces to help facilitate the start-up of the Skillet Restaurant in new Zellers store openings, a job she loved. An opportunity to work at the Yorkton Nursing Home was offered to Janet and she made a career move that in her words became her dream job where she made life long friends with her co-workers and residents. She went out of her way at times, when a resident would ask her to prepare something special and she would make it for them. She had a strong work ethic and took pride in her job. Being a home care cook and caring for others was central to Janet’s personality and that is how she lived her life and engaged with everyone she met. For years she would be up at 4:30 am to go to work and then come home and be a farm wife. She said that if she had to do it all over again she would not change a thing.
Janet had many hobbies that brought joy to her life. She had a green thumb and was a lifelong gardener. Together with Ron the large garden they grew always had enough produce that they would always share it with neighbors and relatives. She loved to can and harvest the garden produce and her cucumber and beet relishes were THE BEST. Care packages would always be sent with family whenever they came to visit.
She loved to collect Beanie Babys and had a large collection and she would be sure to tell you what each represented and where she bought it.
She loved to pick mushrooms and the spring and fall would find her and Ron and brother Garry walking through the bush trying to find that mother lode that would fill the pails. She knew the spots to go and lots of times they were successful.
She was an animal lover and especially enjoyed the company of the many farm dogs they had over the years. She spoiled each in their own way, whether it was Champ, Whiskers or Larry. They all were her special companions.
In her retirement she enjoyed reading. She would often share her books with her sister Darlene always saying to her, “You have to read this book, it is so good.”
She loved watching game shows on TV and always had some advice for the participants on the show. Movies and her favorite series Yellowstone would find her and Ron on the couch avidly watching these shows and then telling those who didn’t watch what they missed.
She enjoyed an outing to the casino where she seemed to find her lucky charm. She always seemed to win more then she spent.
She loved to cook and the phone would ring with an invitation to come out to the farm for an unbelievable meal and visit. The kitchen was her domain and there wasn’t a dish that she didn’t master. And of course a care package was always sent home with you.
More then anything, Janet was an enthusiastic communicator. She loved to talk on the phone with her friends and family. Her daily morning, afternoon and evening phone calls especially to her sister Darlene and sister-in-law Diane will be dearly missed.
Family was important to her. Losing her daughter Holly in a tragic car accident in 1993 was life changing. Then losing her son , Shawn in 2022 to kidney failure was heart breaking. She would always say: “No one should have to bury their child.” She grieved for them as only a mother would know and that grief she carried with her till her last breath. During one of her last days at the hospital when she was in a lot of pain she made the comment that she was going to go and be with Holly and Shawn. How little did we know that would happen. We know she is now free of pain and celebrating a joyous reunion with Holly and Shawn in heaven. She is now a Guardian Angel watching over Ron and the rest of her family and friends reminding us that she will be by our side today, tomorrow or whenever we may need her.
May Her Memory Be Eternal Vichnaya Pamyat
Janet is predeceased by her daughter Holly, son Shawn, parents John and Bella Gawryliuk, Father and Mother-in-Law, Mike and Mary Diduck, sister Dolores Roos, Brother-in-Laws Mike Ryczak and Peter Kostyniuk
Janet will be remembered by her husband Ron Diduck (Wroxton) of 43 years, Brother, Ron and Margaret Gawryliuk (Rosetown), Sister Darlene Ryczak (Yorkton), Brother Garry and Diane Gawryliuk ( Yorkton), In-Laws: Kathleen and Ernie Derworitz ( Kamsack), Shirley Kostyniuk (Saskatoon), Barb and Pat LeSann (Yorkton), Stanley and Barb Diduck (Wroxton), Mark and Gayle Diduck (Lloydminister) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
