Obituary for Dianne Wileen Zackowski
ZACKOWSKI, Dianne
1955 – 2022
It is with heavy hearts, the family of Mrs. Dianne Wileen Zackowski, announce her passing on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at the age of 67 years. Dianne Wileen Zackowski was born August 20, 1955 in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, to proud parents George and Shirley Patterson. She grew up with two brothers, Arthur and Brent, on a farm outside of Lloydminster. She attended school in Lloydminster and went on to the University of Alberta, where she achieved her degree in Physiotherapy. There she met Robert Zackowski and they were married in 1976. Dianne and Rob moved north to Fairview, Alberta in 1976, where Dianne was the sole physiotherapist at the local hospital. There, they welcomed two sons, Jason and Cameron. In 1980, they made the move to a small community of Elnora in central Alberta, where they would raise their family. They added two daughters, Marina and Ilana, and built a home on the edge of town. The family had many wonderful memories in Elnora and made many lifelong friends. Dianne worked as a home care physiotherapist in the surrounding areas, as well as the physiotherapist in Three Hills and Trochu hospitals. She loved helping people and was passionate about showing people kindness and the best care through her work. She retired in 2010. Dianne was always very involved in all that her children did. Her organizational skills and way with numbers proved to be great assets as she was the treasurer for the Kindergarten program, local CanSkate program, summer swim club and her daughters’ synchronized skating teams. Dianne loved her time with her daughter’s skating teams and the time she spent with the other moms. The teams traveled to Los Angeles, Vancouver, Minneapolis, and Niagara Falls, to name a few. Dianne was the biggest cheerleader for her children’s extracurricular endeavors. She enjoyed following all the sports her children participated in, including dance, basketball, swimming, baseball and volleyball. She rarely missed a game, performance, or competition. Summer camping trips were highlights of family life. Many fun days were spent with family at the lake, biking, fishing and going on hikes in the mountains. Dianne was a master navigator prior to GPS. She meticulously planned a six-week vacation trip, driving to Disneyland with many memorable stops on the way. That trip has many lasting memories for the family. As time passed, and her children grew and were married, Dianne eagerly awaited being a grandma. She made sure that the family was still getting together by planning family dinners, events, and trips. It helped that she was an amazing cook and always made sure to make everyone’s favorites when they were around. Eight grandchildren were added to the family, so family gatherings were a bit louder and busier, but filled with so much love. Dianne adored each of her grandkids and could not get enough time with them. She loved spoiling them, watching them play, baking, sewing and knitting for them. Dianne was a self-taught personal historian, passionate about genealogy, who created many beautiful family history books. She also was a strong advocate for the elderly, both in their homes and in facilities. She volunteered on many health care related committees to share her experiences and expertise to push for positive changes within the system. Most of all, Dianne will be remembered as a loving wife, a caring, proud and patient mother, and a loving grandmother. She was the heart of our family. She will be greatly missed and forever loved. Dianne will be lovingly remembered by her husband of forty-six years, Robert Zackowski, her children, Jason (Kris) Zackowski, Cameron (Erin) Zackowski, Marina (Tyler) Prediger, Ilana (Shaun) Lutz, her grandchildren, Duncan, Adam, Xavier, Weston, James, Leah, Pierce and Bryn. She will also be sadly missed by her brothers, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and many close friends. Dianne was predeceased by her parents, George and Shirley Patterson. A Celebration of Dianne’s Life will be planned for a later date. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. If desired, Memorial Donations in Dianne’s honor may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society at www.reddeerhospice. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
1955 – 2022
It is with heavy hearts, the family of Mrs. Dianne Wileen Zackowski, announce her passing on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at the age of 67 years. Dianne Wileen Zackowski was born August 20, 1955 in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, to proud parents George and Shirley Patterson. She grew up with two brothers, Arthur and Brent, on a farm outside of Lloydminster. She attended school in Lloydminster and went on to the University of Alberta, where she achieved her degree in Physiotherapy. There she met Robert Zackowski and they were married in 1976. Dianne and Rob moved north to Fairview, Alberta in 1976, where Dianne was the sole physiotherapist at the local hospital. There, they welcomed two sons, Jason and Cameron. In 1980, they made the move to a small community of Elnora in central Alberta, where they would raise their family. They added two daughters, Marina and Ilana, and built a home on the edge of town. The family had many wonderful memories in Elnora and made many lifelong friends. Dianne worked as a home care physiotherapist in the surrounding areas, as well as the physiotherapist in Three Hills and Trochu hospitals. She loved helping people and was passionate about showing people kindness and the best care through her work. She retired in 2010. Dianne was always very involved in all that her children did. Her organizational skills and way with numbers proved to be great assets as she was the treasurer for the Kindergarten program, local CanSkate program, summer swim club and her daughters’ synchronized skating teams. Dianne loved her time with her daughter’s skating teams and the time she spent with the other moms. The teams traveled to Los Angeles, Vancouver, Minneapolis, and Niagara Falls, to name a few. Dianne was the biggest cheerleader for her children’s extracurricular endeavors. She enjoyed following all the sports her children participated in, including dance, basketball, swimming, baseball and volleyball. She rarely missed a game, performance, or competition. Summer camping trips were highlights of family life. Many fun days were spent with family at the lake, biking, fishing and going on hikes in the mountains. Dianne was a master navigator prior to GPS. She meticulously planned a six-week vacation trip, driving to Disneyland with many memorable stops on the way. That trip has many lasting memories for the family. As time passed, and her children grew and were married, Dianne eagerly awaited being a grandma. She made sure that the family was still getting together by planning family dinners, events, and trips. It helped that she was an amazing cook and always made sure to make everyone’s favorites when they were around. Eight grandchildren were added to the family, so family gatherings were a bit louder and busier, but filled with so much love. Dianne adored each of her grandkids and could not get enough time with them. She loved spoiling them, watching them play, baking, sewing and knitting for them. Dianne was a self-taught personal historian, passionate about genealogy, who created many beautiful family history books. She also was a strong advocate for the elderly, both in their homes and in facilities. She volunteered on many health care related committees to share her experiences and expertise to push for positive changes within the system. Most of all, Dianne will be remembered as a loving wife, a caring, proud and patient mother, and a loving grandmother. She was the heart of our family. She will be greatly missed and forever loved. Dianne will be lovingly remembered by her husband of forty-six years, Robert Zackowski, her children, Jason (Kris) Zackowski, Cameron (Erin) Zackowski, Marina (Tyler) Prediger, Ilana (Shaun) Lutz, her grandchildren, Duncan, Adam, Xavier, Weston, James, Leah, Pierce and Bryn. She will also be sadly missed by her brothers, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and many close friends. Dianne was predeceased by her parents, George and Shirley Patterson. A Celebration of Dianne’s Life will be planned for a later date. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. If desired, Memorial Donations in Dianne’s honor may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society at www.reddeerhospice. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.