Obituary of Diane Melanie Dekanic

May 31, 1956 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

August 21, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Diane Melanie Dekanic (nee Petriw) MBA, R.F.P., CFP, beloved wife of Robert Dekanic, passed away at home, aged 68, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta, following a courageous and lengthy fight with cancer.

Diane was Born on May 31, 1956, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to William and Olga Petriw. Her mom and dad were also born in Winnipeg. At the age of five, Diane and her parents moved to Chicago, Illinois. Following the completion of a Catholic Elementary education in Chicago, Diane moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba to attend Murdoch MacKay High School, and eventually the University of Manitoba. Diane was the younger sister to Borden Petriw. She was predeceased by a baby sister, Christine.

Diane is survived by her husband, Robert, brother Borden Petriw and sister-in-law Marie Petriw, daughter Marina Reeves, son-in-law Gavin Reeves, grandson Julian Reeves, nephew Shawn Petriw and niece Lisa O’Neill. As well as in-laws Les and Esther Rojek, and Tristan and Hazel Reeves. Diane is survived by many cousins and family members on all sides of the family tree.

Diane graduated from Murdoch MacKay High school in Winnipeg Manitoba. She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba. Diane attended the University of Calgary when she already had an established financial planning career and had a young daughter in school. Diane graduated with an MBA, from the University of Calgary. She obtained her Registered Financial Planner, and Certified Financial Planner designations, and founded her own successful business, Financial Health Management Inc.

Diane was a well-known and respected Professional Financial planner, in the city of Calgary, in Canada, and abroad. During her career as a financial planner, Diane helped thousands of individuals manage their financial affairs and helped others make it through financial crises. Diane was extremely proud of the creative touch she brought to financial planning.

Diane married Robert in Winnipeg on June 4, 1977. Robert and Diane met as students at the University of Manitoba. Robert and Diane had a gift in their daughter Marina who was born on January 8, 1986. Diane and Marina were close as mother and daughter. Marina made her parents proud with her lovely personality and academic success. Diane was inordinately fond and proud of her grandson Julian Reeves. She deeply loved her older brother Borden Petriw, and his wife Marie as well her son-in-law Gavin Reeves, her nephew Shawn Petriw and niece Lisa O’Neill, Les Rojek, Esther Rojek, Hazel Reeves, and Tristan Reeves and all the other family members. She loved them all in a unique and special way.

Diane and Robert enjoyed many happy years together. They shared many years filled with love and the challenges that life brings to a couple. Robert cherished Diane as his most precious jewel. Diane was the heart of Robert’s home. He would always say to her: “Wherever you are, that is where my home is.” Diane was an extremely intelligent individual who used her intellect to help others in her profession as a financial planner. Diane and Robert were blessed beyond measure with the birth of their wonderful and loving daughter Marina Noelle. When Marina married Gavin Reeves, Diane was overjoyed following the birth of her grandson, Julian. She doted on her grandson, who is a delightful child. Diane had a very full and fulfilling life.

Diane loved gardening and pottery. She was an outstanding cook. Each summer, she looked forward to planting flowers in her balcony garden. She sculpted a miniature of each of her four dogs with expert hands. Diane was generous with her help to others. She was hard working and, despite running a business, managed to graduate from the University of Calgary with an MBA degree.

Diane was kind, compassionate, loving, strong, and an eternal optimist. She was an intelligent and creative individual. Diane had a superb memory and would often surprise her clients by remembering their names and telephone numbers five years after meeting them for the first time. Diane touched each of us with her gentle, kind, loving, gracious, vivacious, and gregarious personality. Diane was guided by a strong innate sense of right and wrong, and by the principles of her Christian Faith.

Diane was a member of the Cholangiocarcinoma support group and provided emotional support to many individuals. She loved to hike and walk in the mountains.

Diane will be remembered for her happy and outgoing personality. She will be remembered as an incredible wife, mother, mother-in-law, friend, and grandmother. Her kindness, generosity and sparkling personality will always be remembered. Diane was an eternal optimist, who could see a silver lining in the darkest of clouds.

Diane faced a cancer diagnosis with strength, courage, and optimism. She lived her life in hope and positivity, giving and caring for others until the end of her life. The family expresses gratitude to the many physicians and nurses who cared for her until the end of her life.

Diane was the jewel of our hearts and a beloved mother, sister and grandmother and companion in life to Robert. She was the center of Robert’s universe, and she made his dwelling a warm and inviting home. She will be in our hearts and minds forever.

The family would like to express deep gratitude for your presence at Diane’s memorial service and for your support, prayers, and condolences at this trying time of our lives. Our sincere gratitude to all those who helped and supported us during this difficult period.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Guests are asked to please arrive at 1:30 pm. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Diane will be interred at Queen’s Park cemetery, in the family plot, on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 3:30 pm.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Ms. Dekanic’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Diane’s family here.

In living memory of Diane Dekanic, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Diane's Memorial Service