Obituary of Olga Michaelena Kowal
It is with great sadness that the family of Olga Michaelena Kowal, nee Diakun, announces her peaceful passing on July 19, 2024, at age 96. Olga was predeceased by her husband of 57 years Dr. Walter Kowal (2007) and is survived by her 5 children Linda, Joyce (Mike Higgs), Kathryn, Walter (Shirley Levers) and Stephen; her grandchildren Jennifer/Riley, David/Melissa, and Susan Higgs, and Willem and Niklaas Kowal; great grandchildren Mandela and Raphael Higgs-Vis; the family of her brother John Diakun (2003) Denyce, Joshua (Rachel, Calder, Charlie), and Jessika of Brockville; and cousin Lydia Fitz and family of Montreal.
Olga was born in Winnipeg on October 28, 1927, shortly after her parents emigrated from Ukraine. In 1929 she moved with her parents to Montreal where she would spend most of her life. Even though she came from humble beginnings and there was very little money, Olga's parents ensured she always had everything she needed, especially an education.
It was as a teenager that Olga met the love of her life, Walter, at Darcy McGee High School in Montreal. They were the perfect example of how opposites attract! While Olga was a bubbly, outgoing social butterfly who wanted a big family, in his youth Walter had wanted to be a monk! At a time when most women were not able to finish high school, Olga obtained her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Marianopolis College. Shortly after, Olga married Walter and began teaching high school until they started their family.
For the next 32 years, Olga focused on raising their 5 children and being an active member of her English and Ukrainian communities in Montreal. Olga was always involved in some committee or another, especially the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League. Anyone who knew Olga, knew that her family was the most important thing in her life. Olga was a committed, generous, loving and supportive daughter and mother to her children. Whether it was taking them to swimming, Brownies, karate, or skiing, Olga was always by their side, taking pride in their accomplishments and encouraging them to be the best they could be.
Olga's hobbies included hosting large gatherings for family and friends and baking. Her cookie plates at Christmas were infamous. In any given year she would make up to 120 dozen cookies to give to friends and family! Olga's other passion was travelling with Walter across Canada and the US, five continents, and to their beloved Ukraine. Olga was an avid reader and loved all the trips she and Walter would take to see the places she had only read about in books as a child. Collecting antiques to fill her beloved home was another of her favorite passions.
Olga re-entered the workforce in 1982 as a dental assistant for her husband Walter until they both retired in 1995. After a lifetime in Montreal, in 2001 Olga and Walter sold their much-loved home in Westmount and moved to Toronto to be closer to their children and grandchildren and where Olga continued her community activities.
As her health declined, in 2018 Olga again packed up and moved to the Niagara area to be closer to her family. We are grateful that Olga was able to spend her final years near her family and that we could be with her at the end of her long and fascinating life.
Special thanks to Dr. Noor Ramji, St. Michael's Family Practice in Toronto; Dr. Jayawardene and staff at The Royal Henley in St. Catharines; and Father Anton Szymychalski, St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church. A private funeral and interment have taken place. Online remembrances and condolences can be shared at Darte Funeral Home . If you wish, donations to Operation Smile and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation – Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal would be appreciated by Olga (links also available from Darte website).
Vichnaya Pamyat.
