March 20, 1951 – November 21, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Diana Mackay. Peacefully, at home, Diana lost her battle with lung cancer on November 21, 2022 at the age of 71. A special thank you to all the people working with CancerCare who helped keep her comfortable at home.
Diana leaves to mourn her husband of nearly 34 years Rod Mackay; her sons John Krainicuik and Jamy Krainicuik (Chauncey Krainicuik); her four cherished grandchildren, Taia, Jackson, Delaney and Ridleigh; her brothers Gilbert Oram (Teresa) and Ken Oram, and her best friends, Patty, Julie and Betts.
She is predeceased by her grandmother Mary Kowall; her father Gilbert Oram; her mother Mildred Oram (Zubricki) and, her brothers Dale and Cliff Oram.
Diana was born March 20, 1951 in Pembroke Ontario near CFB Petawawa. She spent the first 12 years of her life living on army bases which included Winnipeg, Rivers and CFB Borden. During that time she went from being an only child to the only sister of five younger brothers. In Borden she excelled at school and was an honor student every year. It was there that Di got into gymnastics, attending many competitions and winning awards. She even competed in Buffalo, New York, her first time crossing the border. Diana also coached gymnastics later on as an adult.
While living in BC in the late 1960s, Diana met and married John Krainicuik and had two sons: John and Jamy. She later met Rod Mackay during her rodeo years and the two were married in 1989 at the Golden Nugget. Diana spent the majority of her working career in retail at places like Hallmark, Laura Secord, and Russell Stover. She finished her working career at Ceridian retiring in 2011.
She enjoyed having her grandkids over for shopping trips and sleepovers and cheering on the Bombers and Jets. Diana also had a passion for animals and loved her pets very much. She seriously fed her dogs better than most people eat! Diana even fostered a number of pups through the years.
Diana was a rock for so many people, and if you were lucky enough to be close to her she always had words of wisdom for you as she took on your problems as her own.
Di, Sis, Mom, Gramma, we all were so fortunate to have the time that we did have with you. You truly embody the term selfless, as you always put others ahead of you. You will be missed immensely.
A private celebration of life will be held in the near future with family and close friends. Although Diana loved flowers, she loved animals more, so if you choose, donations to an animal shelter in lieu of flowers can be made in Diana’s honor.
