Darlene Palahnuk

Mrs. Darlene Palahnuk (Gramma, Mrs. P, Auntie Darlin’) beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away on Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 following a brief battle with cancer, with her family by her side. 

Darlene was born February 20, 1942 and raised in Fort William. She will always be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor and her caring/nurturing nature. Darlene’s main love was her family, her husband Rod who predeceased her in 2004 was the love of her life and they were married 43 years enjoying life together with family, travelling, and enjoying nature to the fullest out at their bush lot. Rod and Darlene liked to spend their free time at the Four Winds gardening and maintaining the numerous trails and bridges they built. Her hobbies included bird watching and gardening and the ‘occasional’ trip to the casino.

Darlene’s life centered around her family, to whom she was always there for. Survived by daughter Evelyn Mattonen and son Joseph (Jane Eckensweiler). Her greatest pride were her four grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan), Justin, Emily, and Julia. They put a smile on her face right up to the end. She is also survived by her brother Joe Graham (Cathy), sisters-in-law Mary Small and Helen Koroll as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Rod, her son-in-law Eino Mattonen, and her mother Bernice Graham. 

This difficult time was made bearable by the support of friends, family, and the numerous doctors, specifically Dr. Andrew Migay and Dr. Kevin Bezanson, and nurses both on the Oncology floor at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences and St. Joe’s Hospice. Thank you for your kindness.

Interment for the late Darlene Palahnuk will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 11:00am at Mountain View Cemetery, leaving WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at 10:45am. A Celebration of Life for Darlene will follow from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Polish Hall, 102 Court St S, Thunder Bay, with a Tribute offered at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Josephs’ Sleeper Chair-ity Campaign (https://power.sjftb.net/project.aspx?asset=55) or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre - Cancer Care would be appreciated.

As the day goes on,
Watch the night sky rise,
It’s time to seize the moment,
To hold this point in time,
The moment won’t last forever,
But the memories will do just fine.