1938 – 2019
In the evening of Wednesday March 20, 2019, Diva (Dee) Doreen Chahley passed away peacefully, listening to her favourite music and surrounded by her family. Dee’s life began on September 8, 1938 in Coleman, Alberta when she was born to Anthony and Belinda DeCecco. She married the love of her life and soulmate Eugene Chahley in 1963 and they shared 56 beautiful years together. Together they created an abundant life filled with love of family, good food, and good music. Their love for each other formed the bedrock of Stephen, Tonia, Jason, and Bailey’s lives.
Dee was a fiercely loving and devoted mother, friend, and confidante to her children Stephen and Tonia, and made a warm and accepting home where all of the kids in the neighbourhood were fed and welcomed. She made her children’s interests her own, whether it was hosting band practices in the basement or learning how to braid a horse’s tail for horse shows.
Dee’s true calling was that of a loving Nana. From the moment she saw her granddaughter come into the world, Bailey was the center of her universe. She took immense pleasure spending time with Bailey, teaching her to sew and cook “with wild abandon”. She was Bailey’s best friend and will be truly missed.
Cherished sister to John Robert DeCecco of Fort Macleod, Alberta and Linda Herrle of Calgary, Alberta. Beloved sister-in-law to Nat and Ron Cotton of Edmonton Alberta, Iris and Jake Burritt of Athabasca, Alberta. Dee was predeceased by her beloved sister-in-law Nadia Beck.
Our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed as a result of complications due to COPD.
Interment took place at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bolton, Ontario.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to the Laurel Hill Cemetery Improvement Fund, c/o 203 Queen Street S., Bolton L7E 2C6.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
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G. Ann Ward
Gene, Steve, Toni, Bailey and Jason,
We were shocked to hear your sad news yesterday. We are thinking of you all at this difficult time and wishing you the best.
Love Dale and Ann
The Woodburn’s
Gene, Steve, Tonia and Bailey, Trish and I were so sorry to get the sad news about Dee. We will always remember her as our best neighbor on Crestwood. She was always there for us and our kids, whenever we needed anything. We will also never forget Ukrainian Christmas, they were over the top. Hopefully you and the family will have many memories to remind you of Nana. God bless and keep you all.
Kat Todd
Dee was one of the kindest and FIERCEST momma bears around….she adored Steve and Toni and always spoke of them with pride and concern and love. When you were in her world, she made you feel like you mattered to her. She got me the job I’ve been at for 25 years and I adore that she cared about what happened to the kid at the hardware store that she put in a good word for me to get the job at Cavalier. She was brave, and lovable, and I have often thought of her with gratitude that I got to know such an awesome woman, and also, that through her, I gained an awesome friend in Steve. Dee was the best of the best and the world is less awesome without her.
Vicki Stafford
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. From all your friends and Cavalier!
Tony Caravetta
Gene and Family…. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Great memories of when you lived in Tsawwassen…..Love The Caravetta Family
Brian Ledson
Dee, so sorry to see you go…..I think back to our many years working together, everything you did was with care, love, understanding and patience. I am a better person to have known you and to have called you a friend gives me great pride…..Rest in Peace and Love,
Gene, Steve, Tonia, Trish and Bailey,
My most sincere and best thoughts are with you, Dee was special…..as you know. They don’t make them like that anymore…..I know you will look back with fond memories of a great lady, as will I and all that knew her.
George and Bonnie Ledson
We are saddened to hear that Dee has passed. She was a dedicated employee at Cavalier for a period of time. She was missed when she left. George and Dee often teased about their birthdays. Dee was one day older. We share the families grief and send our condolences to all.
Gary and Lyvia Ward
Gene, Steve, Toni, Bailey and Jason
When we first met Dee, it was obvious that she was a very kind, caring and loving person.
Her love for family and friends was very strong.
It is our loss, that our time with Dee was so short. We will miss her always. You are all in our prayers
at this difficult time.
Vince Decorpo
Gene I share your sadness and tears. I often have told the stories of our days together in Alberta. This evening I will be having dinner at my daughters and will pass on the sad news of Maria’s Godmother passing.
Vince DeCorpo
john mcphee
So sorry about your mothers passing
Noelle Coombe
I’m so sorry to hear of Dee’s passing. I have wonderful childhood memories of her from Crestwood Rd.
Sending love and light to the Chahley family.
Noelle Coombe (Brigden)
Cindy Girard
I was truly saddened to hear of the passing of this remarkable woman.
She was a warrior of her convictions but had a heart of gold.
We shared so many laughs together.
It was an honour to call her my friend!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time
You never forget, it just gets easier to remember
Rest In Peace beautiful lady
B Travierso (De Cecco)
Aunty Dee was a spit firer, she had something to do, she gotter done, no wasting time. Time doesn’t wait for anyone. Even thought you all lived so far away she called to keep up with what’s going on, she always came when Grandma Linda needed her, she will be missed greatly by us also. Our prayers with you all. She is gone to a better place but will never be forgotten.
Love Bobbie & Louie & Robert
Ian L Macdonald
Gene, Steve, Tonia, Bailey and Jason,
I’m so sorry to hear about Dee’s passing. I have so many memories of Dee and how she would have to repeatedly tell us to turn off the TV when Steve and I would have sleepovers, tormenting her with the Speak ‘n Spell by hitting the D button and it saying “D, D, D” over and over which Steve and I thought was a riot but only got an eye roll from her.
Dee put up with the antics of our filming movies with expired film your dad would bring home and would even make popcorn for the movie days we’d have in your basement or our garage.
Your mom also gave back to the community you moved in with her joining my dad on the volunteer ambulance when Bolton was still small compared to today, and who can forget the baking, the Ukranian Christmas get-togethers and the love of family at 199.
The next days and weeks will be tough with so many memories and little things coming to mind, but remember those big full face smiles, the laughs and the hugs and give thanks for the life she led.
Ken Graham
I worked with Dee on the Bolton Volunteer Ambulance and in those days most of the personnel were male and Bolton actually pioneered the idea of having female ambulance attendants. Dee was a gutsy lady and determined to follow in those footsteps. She was willing to put in the many hours of training and shifts to do an excellent job with pride. She will be missed in Bolton.
Denise Potorti
So very saddened to hear of Aunty Diva’s passing. Will always remember her quick wit & laughter.
She will always be in our hearts, as will the family she left behind. Take peace in knowing we will
meet with her again some day.
Love Denise, Rocco, Dustin & Lindsay.
Bailey Chahley
I love you nana❤️❤️❤️
Mirriam
Gene & Family
You are in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Mirriam
Cam Lindsey
To the Chahley Family… Sorry to hear of the passing of this wonderful lady. May your many fond memories help you through these difficult days.
Gail Cheesman
To the Chahley’s Family. It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Dee. She will always be remembered for her generosity she gave to anyone needing it. Dee was always there lending a hand to Steve and my son when they were starting out in the music industry. Thanks Dee, you will be missed.
John Cheesman
Mr. C, Steve, Tonia and Bailey,
I cannot begin to express how deeply saddened I am by Mrs. Chahley’s passing. She was a huge part of my life and I am so grateful for her presence in my formative years and the years to follow. Whether it was that huge brown Ford Econoline van purchased I am sure purely to drive our band around, steered by this tiny women but commanded by her massive heart. Or whether it was shipping care packages to three starving musicians in England in the form of Kraft Dinner she was always so selfless and so giving. She was so supportive of Steve and my musical adventures. She was encouraging, honest and to show her belief she was also financially invested. She watered the seed that still grows today for both of our musical lives. I am so grateful that my wife and children got to meet and know this amazing women. Our lives are so much richer for having her in it. So much love to all of the Chahley family during this difficult time. We all will miss her dearly.
The Cheesman Family
Bob and Karen Brigden
To the Chahley family, Bob and I were so sorry to hear the news of Dee’s passing. We often talk about the Chahley’s fabulous Ukrainian Christmas celebration. When we think back about the many years spent living on Crestwood Road, the Chahley family is the first to come to mind. Dee was a great lady and will be truly missed. It was our fortune to have known her and our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
Coralee
. I meet Dee when I dropped of my wedding gown for angels gowns she and her husband invited me in very sweet people My thoughts to her and her husband during this difficult time
Bailey Chahley
miss you nana❤️❤️❤️