Christina Daku

Christina was predeceased by her husband, George Daku; parents, John and Anna Chabai; siblings: Gabriel Chabai, Rose Szarka, Elizabeth Clements, Steve Chabai and Louis Chabai; and son-in-law Leonard Shoemaker. Christina will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Dianna Shoemaker and Lynda Wilton (Murray); grandchildren, Leonora Hague (Karl), Layne Shoemaker (Debbie), Ryan Wilton (Jamie), Richelle Wilton (Ryan); great-grandchildren, Chris Hague (Haley), Kerstin, Anthony and Thomas Shoemaker; great-great-grandchildren, Beau and Wyatt Hague and Brady Shoemaker; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Christina was born on March 25, 1924, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan and was raised on a farm near Willowbrook, Saskatchewan. At the age of 14, her family picked up and moved to Scarborough, Ontario, where they began operating a fruit farm. When Christina was only 16 years old, she balanced working at the family farm and working in a munitions factory, producing ammunition for weapons used in World War II. In 1943, while attending church, Christina met the love of her life, George. George and Christina were married on March 25, 1944, in Toronto, Ontario. Shortly after they were married, Christina agreed to move back to the prairies with George to work on his parents’ farm, just outside of Kipling, Saskatchewan. Although it was hard work, Christina enjoyed life on the farm with her family, raising chickens, hogs and cows, and tending to the family’s grain operation. In 1962, she and George moved their family off the farm and into the town of Kipling where Christina began her career working as a caregiver. She was employed at Willowdale Lodge Care Home for 27 years before retiring at the age of 65.

Christina’s Hungarian culture was very important to her. She spoke fluent Hungarian and enjoyed cooking and baking many Hungarian dishes and pastries. Her specialties were butter crescents (kifli), Hungarian puff pastry (Vajas tészta), and Paprikash chicken and dumplings. Christina was passionate about gardening and enjoyed canning the vegetables she harvested. She also enjoyed making jams and jellies, baking bread and making delicious doughnuts for her family to enjoy. Along with Christina’s baking skills and green thumb, she also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She would often look down at her hands and say, ‘these are sure some hard-working hands!’. Christina was very social. She had many friends and loved gatherings at the Kipling Friendship Centre, where she enjoyed playing cards and shuffleboard. She loved listening to music, specifically polka music, and would never turn down an opportunity for a spin on the dancefloor. She had a zest for life, and always appreciated time spent with family and friends. If you knew Christina, you knew her smile. She was such a joyous person and had the kindest heart. She will be missed dearly.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at J&C Care Home, Pasqua Hospital and Regina Wascana Grace Hospice for the incredible care she received in her final days.

A celebration of Christina’s life will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024 in the Kipling Friendship Centre from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Christina’s memory to a charity of your choice.