Obituary of Diane Lois Ellwood

Diane Ellwood (Melnechuk) was born on March 29, 1941 in Melfort, Saskatchewan. Diane spent her formative childhood years in Melfort surrounded by a large extended family who loved her very much. She was so very proud of her Icelandic and Ukrainian heritage. In 1952 the Melnechuk family moved to Macklin, where Diane completed her high school and then worked at the pharmacy and for Dr. Klaus Walch. She met a lanky boy from Meadowlands, North of Macklin, named Grant Ellwood and they married in June, 1960 and were strong partners until Grant’s death in 2002. In addition to hogs, wheat, barley, flax and canola, they happily raised four children on the farm and today it remains a fifth generation operation. Diane wasn’t born a farm girl but she embraced all aspects of the life. Watching four kids run wild, growing a massive garden, machinery parts runs, meals to the field, worrying about the weather, all while baking and cooking extraordinary food each and every day. And always looking forward to next year. She was also a devoted and self-sacrificing daughter and daughter-in-law and was a role model for all of us in this regard. Diane was an active member of the Macklin community including Grace United Church, the Kinette Club, the museum board, figure skating and minor hockey, the trap shooting club and she was always ready to help out in any way she was able. She loved having coffee with her many friends and made that five mile trip south to Macklin from the farm many times a week. Some of her best memories, she always said, were at our cabin at Macklin Lake where life slowed down and the boating was good. Diane loved to travel and was grateful for her many journeys around the world to such countries as China, Iceland, various European destinations, and trips throughout Canada and the US. She especially looked forward to the treks she made to Arizona and other spots for many years with Grant on their trapshooting adventures. She loved, in no particular order, her husband, her children, her grandkids, chilled white wine, an engrossing mystery novel, growing a garden, the Antiques Road Show, her parents, chocolate, a long crop-checking drive, cold beer, a black and white cardigan, strong coffee, cats and dogs, and a good gab session. Unfortunately Alzheimer’s took away our mom too soon - robbing her, not only of memories and the recognition of familiar faces, but of a great deal of her essence and her freedom but still her spirit, open nature, and joys were evident to the end. Diane passed away peacefully on May 9, 2020 at the St. Joseph’s Heath Center at the age of 79 years. Diane is remembered for her zest for life and buoyant spirit by her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchild - Deb and Scott, Heather, Ivan and Regan, Doug, Lori, Tyler, Taylor and Quinn, Kellen and Amanda, and Sean, and Kristy, Dean and Isabella. Additionally she is remembered by her sister-in-laws Gerrie Melnechuk and Sharon Dushaire, her special nephew Greg Melnechuk, and many other nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Grant; parents, Kris and Alec Melnechuk; parents-in-law, Anna and Fred Ellwood; brother, Dale Melnechuk; sibling-in-laws, Donald Ellwood, Hazel and Albert Gerling, and Ed Bleier. We thank all of moms many friendly visitors these past years and the support of the amazing and caring staff at St Joe’s. Due to the restrictions of Covid-19, we are not able to host a Public Memorial Service for Diane at this time. We hope to have a celebration of her life in the next months when it is safe to do so. If you would like to plant a tree in the local cemetery, please contact GFH directly at 780-753-2332