Darlene Fullawka

Darlene passed away on June 20th, 2023 at the age of 58 after many years of MS.

Darlene was born October 1st 1964, to Dymtro and Lydia Dzaman in Winnipeg hospital. She was the oldest of 3 children followed by Micheal and Korinna. She grew up on a farm just south of Hyas where she discovered her love for horses and all animals, other then moths.

Darlene took Kindergarten and grade 1 in Winnipeg, grades 2-8 were at Hyas school and grades 9-12 were at Sturgis high school, she graduated in 1982. At this time, she met Wayne. Darlene then went to Kelsey in Saskatoon to become a nurse and graduated from Kelsey in 1983 as a LPN. She then began working at the Gateway Lodge.

Darlene and Wayne married on July 30th 1983 in Canora where they continued to live their lives and soon stared a family. Together they had 4 kids, sons Matthew, Nathen, and Tim and daughter Rochelle. From there life got busy as she took part in many of the kids activities. She served on the nursery school committee, Ukrainian Dance Committee and costume team and Catechism instructor. She was dedicated to Scouting as a Beaver leader and trainer. She earned her wood badge 1 & 2 and even got to travel to the Canadian Scout Jamboree in PEI in 2001.

In December 2002 Darlene was diagnosed with MS and her whole world changed. She was forced to stop working at the lodge after 20 years. In 2004 after losing her son Matthew, life really slowed down.

Darlene participated in a new treatment called Liberation in 2010 and traveled to Mexico to get the procedure done. This was a success as she did get some quality of life back. Around this time Darlene and Wayne were empty nesters as their children graduated and moved away. It was around this time that Darlene shifted her view on health from medical to herbal. She became very passionate about Wayne pursuing the art of Sho-Tai (Herbal Medicine)

Although having MS Darlene never showed weakness. She was strong, positive and was persistent that life would improve. She never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her and lived with the attitude she would walk again. Even when she lost her mobility, she never lost her attention to detail. She could recall memories of the kids growing up way better then Wayne, and knew exactly where everything was in the attic.

In the meantime, she spent her days doing things on the computer, she enjoyed tending to her farm yard on Farmville, playing Solitaire and setting up documents for Wayne business. As well as cherishing every moment spent with her 4 grandkids. Jayden, Adayln, Miles and Nora.

In 2020 Darlene became less independent and was then forced into a wheel chair. Life changed big time, being unable to travel and do many things for herself. Although she had lost the ability to communicate Darlene’s classic smile, look and nod said it all. It was at this time she Wayne stepped in as her fulltime care giver until her last days. Which is a true testament of love and devotion.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darlene Fullawka, please visit our floral store.