It is with great sadness that the family of Stella Didura, age 94 years, announces her passing on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with family by her side.
Stella was born on Nov. 8, 1916 in Fort William and was a lifelong resident of the city. She attended local schools and started working at a very young age. She was a life member of the former Church of the Holy Protection and was one of its original founders.
Stella was also a member of the Catholic Women's League. She worked very hard and devoted many years to her church, working to fund raise and taking part in numerous activities and functions.
Stella's home and family brought her greatest joy, especially her three grandsons. She loved cooking and baking and was best known for her pistachio cake and lemon pies which she made for everyone who knew her.
Stella cherished her many friends, especially lifelong friends Dora Kolomy and Judy Ostaff. She enjoyed playing bingo and various card games and meeting up with old acquaintances to reminisce about the past.
Stella was a very caring, beautiful lady who loved life's simple pleasures and always put the needs of others before herself. Most recently, Stella resided at Grandview Lodge and she always looked forward to visits and phone calls from all of her family and friends, particularly Stella and Bill Gibson.
Stella is survived by her daughter Betty (Cy) Zurba; grandsons Jeff Zurba of Toronto, Michael Dawson-North (Christy McClelland) and Robert Dawson-North of Dryden; great-grandson Matthew and sister-in-law Olga Perry. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.
She was predeceased by her husband Mike in 1964; son Ed in 2009; parents John and Barbara Perih; step-father Sam Stachera; brother Bill Perry and sisters Helen Harlos and Anne Slusar as well as by numerous other family members.
Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Stella Didura will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 with family and friends gathering in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Cross for the Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. celebrated by Father Andrija Petresin.
Interment will follow in St. Andrew's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the church with Panakhyda (prayers) offered at 7 p.m.
If friends so desire, donations made in memory of Stella to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Cross, Heart and Stroke Foundation, St. Joseph's Care Group, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Everest Funeral Chapel, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
As long as we can dream,
As long as we can think,
As long as we have a memory,
We will love you.
As long as we have eyes to see,
ears to hear, and lips to speak,
We will love you.
Vichnaya Pamyat
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
