Obituary of Stella Daviduk

Stella Daviduk passed away peacefully on January 3rd, 2019 at the age of 99 yrs at Hafford Nursing Home. Stella was born as Stefhenka to pioneers Julia (Zarubiak) and Nick Rybryna in Hafford district on November 8, 1919, where she resided until her passing. Stella is survived by her daughter Darlene (Morris) Stakiw, grandchildren Christine (Todd) Chaffey, and Ian (Susanne) Stakiw, and great grandchildren Stephanie and Matthew Marchinko and Moritz and Emily Stakiw; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Stella was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Walter (1998); her grand son-in-law, Grant Marchinko (1999); her great grandsons, Lucas Marchinko (1999) and Felix Stakiw (2014); her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Dr. Steve Cholod; and all her brothers-in-law and sisters-in law. Stella lived in Hafford all of her life. She married Walter James Daviduk on July 20, 1939 and they became the proprietors of Rybryna Hardware. While Walter was teaching in various communities in Saskatchewan Stella managed the family business. The bright blue hardware store, on the corner of main and second street, was featured at the Canadian Pavilion at  EXPO in Vancouver in 1986. The store served the Hafford and district community for about 80 years. Stella was actively involved in the Hafford community.  She belonged to the Ukrainian Catholic Church, singing in the choir and having her family join her in the choir loft during services. She was a member of UCWL for over 70 years and held various executive positions. She was the chair of the school board for 25 years.  Stella was godmother to many children in the district. Stella’s father owned one of the first cars in Hafford. She applied for her driver’s license when she was 16  by simply writing Regina, sending $1, and the license came in the mail.  She loved curling in many bonspiel’s and when could no longer curl watched curling faithfully on tv. Stella had many hobbies including caroling, making Easter eggs, cross stitching and knitting/crocheting and passing down her Ukrainian cooking and traditions to her family. Stella travelled across the globe with Walter, her family & friends to Israel, Japan, Singapore, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Russia, Poland, all of Europe, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, the United States, and across Canada.  One of the many highlights was meeting the Beatles in Hamburg, Germany. In her final years she still enjoyed cooking, especially making perogies and baking cinnamon buns for her favorite son-in-law, Morris, watching games shows and her beloved Riders and ANY Canadian hockey team. Stella’s family was of utmost importance to her. The trip between Hafford and Yorkton was travelled often, and family gatherings were plenty. Her grandchildren, Chrissy and Ian spent several summers in Hafford, often helping in the store, attending summer camps/catechisms, learning how to bake “Baba’s buns” and perogies and spending time at the cottage at Red Berry Lake. When Chrissy and Ian attended university in Saskatoon, weekly buying trips included bringing goodies and going out for dry ribs and Greek Salad. Donations in Stella’s name can be made to Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church. A Prayer Service will be held Friday, January 25, 2019 at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11:00 am. Both services will be held at the Hafford Ukrainian Catholic Church with interment to follow at Hafford.