Obituary for Annette Diachenko
Annette C. Diachenko
The angel of our family flew into the loving embrace of Heaven on April 30, 2023. Annette was born in Hartford on July 26, 1965. She was the daughter of the late Louis and Anna (Kulakauskas) Diachenko. Annette was a graduate of the Intensive Education Center and the Gengras Center in West Hartford. After completing her education, she was an employee of Stop & Shop while living in Wethersfield. In 2006, Annette moved into a group home in Bristol, where she participated in programs through the local ARC.
Enthusiastic throughout her school years, Annette applied her best effort to every task. She was dedicated as a worker and took great pride in being on time, working hard, and receiving a paycheck. More recently in her work program, Annette was totally devoted to creating many different varieties of chocolate delights and artwork, and she was quite the salesperson, who motivated many to buy what she produced. A lover of cooking and baking, Annette was rarely seen without numerous recipe books in tow. Her other greatest joys included celebrating family birthdays and holidays in full regalia with decor to match, dancing, singing, painting, photography, get-aways to Misquamicut Beach, trips to Florida and the West Coast, and enjoying time at home with her special friend and roommate, Elisa. Annette was a star athlete in Special Olympics who participated in a unified cheerleading squad to encourage others. She was also a fierce competitor and was extremely proud of her numerous medals in bowling and track and field events.
Annette was beyond a blessing to her family and the biggest fan of her five older siblings. She was also great company to her nieces and nephews, who so enjoyed her warm heart, joyful nature, and sense of humor. As a courageous woman of great strength, she overcame numerous obstacles and fought hard to battle her illness. Her gentle soul inspired many, especially her family, who will always keep her bright light in their hearts.
Always the amazing sister, Annette will be lovingly remembered by her siblings: Rick Diachenko and wife Lil of Niantic; Louann Landsberg and husband Ed of Vernon; Marian Cancelliere and husband Joe of Rocky Hill; Cathy Benedetto and Husband David “Ben” of Westerly, RI; and Thom Diachenko and wife Beth of San Diego, CA. Annette would light up at the sight of her 13 nieces and nephews along with their life partners: Allison Tucci & Gary Montanaro, Katie & Dave Hibbert, Melissa Tucci, Dan & Mariel Diachenko, Jeff & Rosemary Landsberg, Jenn & Leszek Ward, Michael Benedetto & Julianne Meisner, Rob & Hannah Landsberg, Jim Benedetto, Alicia Landsberg & Jake Kuss, Alek & Chloe Diachenko, Drew Diachenko & Blake Willahan, and Kristin Cancelliere. Annette also joyfully celebrated her 13 great-nieces and nephews: Makenzee, Jaxson, Ayden, Oliver, Avery, Dorothy, Virgil, Levi, Halle, Arthur, Minerva, Riley, and Hadley.
Besides her parents Annette is predeceased by her sister Maryann. Annette’s family extends heartfelt thanks to her wonderfully caring and supportive residential, nursing, and day program staff in Bristol. We are also forever grateful for the excellent care and compassion given to Annette by the medical and oncology teams at UConn Health and AccentCare hospice. Calling hours will be held Monday, May 15, 4-7 p.m., at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield. Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Mass at St. James Church, 767 Elm St., Rocky Hill, on Tuesday, May 16, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Camp Horizons, Inc., P.O. Box 323, S. Windham, CT 06266, a place where Annette had much fun and adventure. To extend condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com. Annette is now dancing to her favorite tunes with her mom, dad, and her sister whom she can finally meet. She is celebrating at the eternal “prom” and delighting in endless servings of pepperoni pizza and banana splits.
The angel of our family flew into the loving embrace of Heaven on April 30, 2023. Annette was born in Hartford on July 26, 1965. She was the daughter of the late Louis and Anna (Kulakauskas) Diachenko. Annette was a graduate of the Intensive Education Center and the Gengras Center in West Hartford. After completing her education, she was an employee of Stop & Shop while living in Wethersfield. In 2006, Annette moved into a group home in Bristol, where she participated in programs through the local ARC.
Enthusiastic throughout her school years, Annette applied her best effort to every task. She was dedicated as a worker and took great pride in being on time, working hard, and receiving a paycheck. More recently in her work program, Annette was totally devoted to creating many different varieties of chocolate delights and artwork, and she was quite the salesperson, who motivated many to buy what she produced. A lover of cooking and baking, Annette was rarely seen without numerous recipe books in tow. Her other greatest joys included celebrating family birthdays and holidays in full regalia with decor to match, dancing, singing, painting, photography, get-aways to Misquamicut Beach, trips to Florida and the West Coast, and enjoying time at home with her special friend and roommate, Elisa. Annette was a star athlete in Special Olympics who participated in a unified cheerleading squad to encourage others. She was also a fierce competitor and was extremely proud of her numerous medals in bowling and track and field events.
Annette was beyond a blessing to her family and the biggest fan of her five older siblings. She was also great company to her nieces and nephews, who so enjoyed her warm heart, joyful nature, and sense of humor. As a courageous woman of great strength, she overcame numerous obstacles and fought hard to battle her illness. Her gentle soul inspired many, especially her family, who will always keep her bright light in their hearts.
Always the amazing sister, Annette will be lovingly remembered by her siblings: Rick Diachenko and wife Lil of Niantic; Louann Landsberg and husband Ed of Vernon; Marian Cancelliere and husband Joe of Rocky Hill; Cathy Benedetto and Husband David “Ben” of Westerly, RI; and Thom Diachenko and wife Beth of San Diego, CA. Annette would light up at the sight of her 13 nieces and nephews along with their life partners: Allison Tucci & Gary Montanaro, Katie & Dave Hibbert, Melissa Tucci, Dan & Mariel Diachenko, Jeff & Rosemary Landsberg, Jenn & Leszek Ward, Michael Benedetto & Julianne Meisner, Rob & Hannah Landsberg, Jim Benedetto, Alicia Landsberg & Jake Kuss, Alek & Chloe Diachenko, Drew Diachenko & Blake Willahan, and Kristin Cancelliere. Annette also joyfully celebrated her 13 great-nieces and nephews: Makenzee, Jaxson, Ayden, Oliver, Avery, Dorothy, Virgil, Levi, Halle, Arthur, Minerva, Riley, and Hadley.
Besides her parents Annette is predeceased by her sister Maryann. Annette’s family extends heartfelt thanks to her wonderfully caring and supportive residential, nursing, and day program staff in Bristol. We are also forever grateful for the excellent care and compassion given to Annette by the medical and oncology teams at UConn Health and AccentCare hospice. Calling hours will be held Monday, May 15, 4-7 p.m., at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield. Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Mass at St. James Church, 767 Elm St., Rocky Hill, on Tuesday, May 16, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Camp Horizons, Inc., P.O. Box 323, S. Windham, CT 06266, a place where Annette had much fun and adventure. To extend condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com. Annette is now dancing to her favorite tunes with her mom, dad, and her sister whom she can finally meet. She is celebrating at the eternal “prom” and delighting in endless servings of pepperoni pizza and banana splits.