Obituary of Elaine Dianna Rabuka

Rabuka, Elaine

August 11, 1950 – December 14, 2018

Elaine Dianna Rabuka (Lanski, nee Zaichkowsky) peacefully fell asleep with all our love on Friday, December 14^th, 2018 at the age of 68.  She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Stacy) Nordin and their children (grandchildren) David, Lloyd & Jennifer.  Cheryl (Nolan) Siemens and their children (grandchildren) Jackson and Megan. Her husband Larry Rabuka, his son Quentin (Eileen), and his son (grandchild) Kyle.  She was pre-deceased by her husband Garry, her parents - James & Stella Zaichkowsky, her sister Fran & Brother in law Raymond Kohut, her sister Marie Boyanchuk, & Brother Edward Zaichkowsky. Elaine was born in Hafford, SK, August 11^th 1950.  She was the youngest of four children, and enjoyed growing up in a small town, where she met her husband Garry.  Elaine married Garry Lanski in 1971, and had two daughters Laura, & Cheryl.  She was always proud of her family, her daughters & their university degrees & careers, how they both became mothers, allowing her to share in the joy of being a grandma.  She was proud of her girls and their families, how she taught them to make the world a better place because of how she raised them.  Elaine lost her husband suddenly in 1987, becoming a single parent and fulfilling her daughters lives, making them proud of her strength and inner light.  In a few years, Elaine began a new chapter in her life; she met and later married Larry Rabuka, taking on a new role as a step mother to Quentin, sharing her love with both of them.  Most of her working years were spent caring for and helping others as a special care aide.  This was an ideal fit for her, as she was a naturally nurturing person, who believed she was adding some good and beauty to the world by caring for others.  She had a creative spark that inspired others around her.  Her sense of humour brought many smiles and joy to the world.   She was a life long learner, who loved reading books on her swing outdoors and wrote her own poems.  Helping others was always important to her.  Over the years, many friends and family have turned to Elaine for advice and guidance, knowing she would show them comfort and ease their worry or pain.  She would share her time freely with anyone who needed it, even chatting with strangers at stores to bring them a smile.  Her love and kindness filled our souls and wraps around like a blanket of protection.  Elaine was an excellent cook, & baker, she made traditional Ukrainian meals, teaching her family the art of pinching the perfect perogie.  Food was always homemade, and there was always more than enough, especially if you brought extra guests.  Anyone who ate at her table felt welcomed and truly blessed. A big part of Elaine’s life was her AA family.  She had many friends through her 12 step support group.  She celebrated a 30 year commitment to sobriety in June this year, she was very proud of this, as was her family to have this accomplishment and many new and long time friends celebrated with her.  She celebrated and practiced the Ukrainian Orthodox faith.  Her spiritual dedication continued at home, offering prayers for others in need, and to honour her own faith.  She wrote in her personal journal she wanted friends and family to know – There is a God and he loves us all. Elaine often said the best years of her life were raising children and then spending time with her grandchildren.  She loved baking cookies, sharing stories, spending time outside and teaching nature to children.  She loved cats, having many throughout the years, she always said nothing compared to having a cat curl up on your lap.  Elaine lived for summer days, sitting outside on her swing, gardening, listening to the birds, admiring her flowers and simply being in awe of it all.  Outdoors is where her spirit was the strongest.  She loved the night sky and looked forward to the Perciates meteor shower every year that comes around her Birthday.  She wrote in her journal that when you see a sunrise, sunset, August meteorite shower, butterflies, rainbows or a bird, to think of her for she may be watching over you.  She was stronger than anyone could have imagined, fighting against Cancer for so many years.  Her final days were spent in comfort, feeling cozy, loved and surrounded with the beauty of God’s love and family and friends.  Each part of her life, her personality, her inner light and spark is a part of every life she has touched.  Her love is forever with us. Carry that with you always, as a special gift to remember all the beauty in the world, as you remember her. Prayers will be held 7pm Wednesday, December 19, 2018, Devine Liturgy will be held 10am Thursday, December 20, 2018, at All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church (2616 Louise St, Saskatoon, S7J 0P3).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church (2616 Louise St, Saskatoon, S7J 0P3), or the Canadian Cancer Society (101 - 440 Second Ave. N, Saskatoon, S7K 2C3).