DIANA DAWNE COMSTOCK

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DIANA DAWNE COMSTOCK Kind, and gentle, and truly one-of-a kind was "Dawne". She passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at age 81 years, leaving a big hole in our hearts. Predeceased by her husband, Don Comstock, her parents Julia and Peter Krywonis, and her brother Ernie Krywonis, she is survived by her two daughters Mikaila Hardy (Cade Coghill), and Krystal Comstock (Steve Leahy). Dawne was born Diana Marjorie Krywonis on December 1, 1932 in Winnipeg, and grew up with her little brother Ernie in Winnipeg's North End. Her parents were Galician (Polish Ukrainian) immigrants, recently arrived to Canada. Her aunts and uncles arrived too, scattering themselves across North America, and there were fond memories visiting her Aunts Mary and Anna, and Uncle Stan in Montreal, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pine Beach, New Jersey. Her father Peter was a carpenter, and travelled all over for work. Her mother Julia, had a post-secondary education in the Ukraine, but stayed at home in Canada to raise their children. In the 1930s, the North End was a piece of the old country transported, where everyone spoke Ukrainian in daily life. Little Diana attended Ukrainian Children's School, and was encouraged to learn the Mandolin and Ukrainian Dance. She says her mother had big "show-biz" dreams for her kids, and Diana and Ernie became a professional dance duo. The Second World War was on, and they were included in many vaudeville and entertainment nights to uplift spirits. She developed a strong circle of childhood girlfriends from the neighbourhood, who continue to remain special to each other all of their lives. Tragically, her father had almost completed building their family's dream house on Dalton Street, when he suddenly passed away. Diana helped her mother through this. As she grew older, Diana started expressing her individuality, and decided she preferred to be called "Dawne". Dawne was hired by Trans Canada Airlines (TCA) to work in Teletypes Department. She could not have been prouder. She used her travel privileges to take her mother everywhere they could possibly go, Barbados was a favourite. A few years prior, during one of her vaudeville shows dancing at the Beacon Theatre, she espied a tall dark-haired man, who was performing in a comedic duo called "Ron and Don". He was Don Comstock, and it took a few years, but eventually they became an item. Dawne and Don married in 1961, built a house on Buchanan Boulevard, and raised their two daughters. Dawne left TCA in 1964, but never got over her travel bug. When her kids were just a little older, she returned to the workforce, becoming a travel agent. And this became her indelible mark upon the world, helping others plan their travel needs, big or small. She absolutely adored her career. Dawne had a bubbly and vivacious nature, and a genuine desire to help people, so it was a natural fit. She loved history, and learning about other cultures, so being a travel agent she could enjoy and share her research, to create a special travel holiday for a client. She was enthusiastic with her clients, and thus many clients became friends. And the travel opportunities available to her in the Travel Industry were her greatest joy. That, and her friends. Dawne took a kazillion trips in her lifetime, but always sharing it with at least one friend. It always had to be shared with friends or family. She and her husband Don never met a beach they didn't love. Throughout her life, Dawne remained very loyal to all her friends. Her telephone was a constant busy signal for she was always talking to them, or writing to them, or sending them impromptu gifts, or visiting them. Dawne also had a very special relationship with all animals, loved every one of them, and they loved her back. As if she were speaking their language, they understood each other. Getting old can be a tough thing, to the day-to-day workers at Tuxedo Villa who genuinely cared about Dawne, and helped her through these last months, a thank you is due. Dawne lived her dream to the fullest, and left her footprints everywhere around this world, twice, three times over. A beautiful, and blessed life it has been. And now, may her spirit travel even farther, finding her way to the stars. We love you Mumzo, and will miss you terribly. - M and K A Celebration of Dawne's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2014, in the chapel of Voyage Funeral Home, 220 Hespeler at Henderson Highway, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Winnipeg Humane Society in Dawne's name.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2014