Obituary of Diane Shirley Schirok

October 31, 1943 - Indian Head, Saskatchewan

February 15, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Diane Shirley Schirok, 79, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Diane was born in Indian Head, SK on October 31, 1943. She was predeceased by her parents, Adam and Vera Schneider. Diane will be remembered by her loving husband John, and of course, their standard poodle Ca$h. John and Diane just recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December. She will also be greatly missed by her three daughters and four grandchildren, Robin (Collin) Harris, Tascha (Jason, Taras, and Sofia) Krywulak, of Calgary, and Shona (Evelyn and Isla) Foster of Vancouver. She is also survived by her Auntie Ferol, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Diane attended business college in Calgary. She started her career working for several glass companies—this is where she met the love of her life, John. John and Diane went on to start their own glass company and successfully operated it together for over 45 years.

When the girls were young, the family enjoyed many years together camping, fishing, boating, playing cards and many other activities. They loved their annual summer trips in the motorhome to the Okanagan and spending countless hours on the boat water skiing and fishing. Diane was a tremendous fisherwoman and somehow always seemed to catch the biggest fish! She enjoyed sports and loved nothing more than watching her grandchildren play hockey, soccer and various other activities.

John and Diane were fortunate enough to enjoy 27 wonderful winters together in Arizona and California as snowbirds. This was truly their special place and something they looked forward to every winter. There they met many new fellow Canadian and American snowbirds who would become lifelong, dear friends.

Diane absolutely loved animals—especially horses and dogs. Growing up, Diane was an extremely skilled horse person and spent countless hours riding horses on her family’s farm. The Schirok family also never went without a dog as part of the family. Poodles were her favourite! This love of dogs was passed down to her daughters as all three girls are proud parents of the four-legged variety.

Her family wishes to express their deep gratitude to all the staff on Unit 94 at the Rockyview Hospital and the Southwood Hospice in Calgary for their exceptional and amazing care of Diane.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222. www.albertacancer.ca/memorial or to the Southwood Hospice (501, 5920 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB) Telephone (403) 255-4969, www.intercarealberta.com.

In living memory of Diane Schirok, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.