Diane SLEZAK

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SLEZAK: Diane Slezak (nee Garrett). It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, peacefully on September 7, 2014, at home, after a brief illness and with her family by her side. Diane was born November 11, 1938 in Val D’or, Quebec to Amos and Gretta Garrett. As a young girl, Diane lived with her parents in Val D’or, Kapuskasing, Ontario, Wingham, Ontario and then the family settled in Parry Sound, Ontario. After high school she moved to Ottawa where she worked at the bank. It was on a casual outing with her best friend that she met Alex Slezak who was visiting from Manitoba with her friend’s cousin. It was obviously love at first sight and he proposed after only two dates. They were married in quiet ceremony on December 19, 1959 and were inseparable for 50 years until his death in 2009. After they married, they moved to the family farm in the Wellwood district. Mom loved being in her garden and lovingly tended to her flowers and vegetables. She was always ready to do whatever was needed whether it was in the field or the barn and for a girl raised in the city, she quickly adapted to life on the farm. Her interests were her children and their activities, family and friends. She loved to read and knit and over the last few years she knit many mitts and hats that she donated to the church, the women’s shelter and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon. She kept her birds and animal friends fed during the winter. She was a great cook and always had baking and treats at home for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Diane is survived by her children, Debbie (Don) Rea, Cathy Slezak (Gary) and Jim Slezak (Angelina), grandchildren Karra (Matt) Knol, Nici (Jason) Treloar, Garret Rea (Brittany), Kristyn Michaluk (Rob), Mathew Michaluk, Whitney Slezak and James Slezak. She is also survived by five wonderful great-grandsons, Zachary, Tyler and Corbin Knol, and Brayden and Preston Treloar. She was predeceased by her husband, Alex, her parents Gretta and Amos Garrett and an infant son Raymond. A private family graveside service for both mom and dad was held on September 12, 2014 at the Wellwood Cemetery. We cried the day you passed awayWe still cry todayAlthough we loved you dearlyWe couldn’t make you stayA golden heart stopped beatingHard working hands at restGod broke our hearts to proveHe only takes the best.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 11, 2014