It is with great sadness and love that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, baba, great-baba, sister, and aunt, in the St. Boniface General Hospital, with her family by her side, on August 18, 2020, at the age of 80 years. 

 

Diane was predeceased by her loving husband Mike; loving daughter Kathy; son-in-law Bobby; and her parents Harold and Anne Barrett.

 

Born on the family Homestead in Fisher Branch on May 12, 1940 Diane was the second of two children. She had numerous loving cousins, which afforded her many fun times and adventures as a young girl. In November 1957 Diane married the love of her life, Mike Wakaluk. They settled in Winnipeg raising their six children, Michael (Marilyn), David (Cheryl), Steven (Lisa), Karen, Kim (Gilles) and her special daughter (the little bird) Kathy. Along with her six beautiful grandchildren Connie (Kurt), Jared, Janelle (Brett), Tyler (Nikki), Breanne (Jeff), Erin (Erik), and three beautiful great-grandchildren Livia, Hailey, and Trinity. Also left to mourn is her best friend and surviving sister Margie (George) and their children Marlene, Dean and their families.

 

When Diane first came to Winnipeg she worked for the Winnipeg Envelope Company until they formed the family business Wakaluk's Heating. Mom and dad worked as a team side by side to make it the success it was, she was an amazing bookkeeper and secretary; the backbone of the business.

 

Mom enjoyed gardening, cooking, pickling, baking, and playing cards with family and friends. Her true passion, however, was caring for her family, which she did with endless grace and good humour.

 

Mom, our hearts are broken with you leaving us, but we are comforted knowing you are now being held in the warm arms of dad and Kathy up in heaven. 

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Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family funeral service will be held. A recording of the service program will be posted here on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, sometime during the afternoon. If you, or someone you would like to watch the service, please visit back to this page on Wednesday afternoon or later.

 

In the meantime, Diane’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos and/or sharing your own memories and stories using the comment section on this page. Condolences for the family are also welcome.

 

The family would like to send a special thanks to the wonderful compassionate staff at the St. Boniface General Hospital. 

 

Mom was a breast cancer survivor. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the CancerCare Manitoba.

 

The family chain is broken

and nothing seems the same,

but as God calls us one by one,

the chain will link again."