Diana S. Tarbuk

On February 1, 2024, Diana Shorak Tarbuk, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and godmother was welcomed by God into His eternal home surrounded by her loving family. Diana blessed us with her gentle presence for nearly 95 years; her graceful life was defined by a love of others, a love of learning and a love of God.

Diana was born on February 10, 1929, to Anna (Ziggich) and Eli Shorak, Serbian immigrants from Eastern Europe. She was the fifth of six Shorak children who grew up in their Virginia Avenue home in Midland, Pennsylvania. As a young woman, Diana was visiting a sister in Chicago and, while crossing the street, ran into another Midland native, Nick Tarbuk. This serendipitous meeting was the beginning of their sixty year romance. They married on June 15, 1952, at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Midland, where they raised four daughters, anchoring them with love of family and the Serbian Orthodox faith. As a young woman, Diana worked tirelessly to arrange for the immigration of family members from Yugoslavia, providing them with support as they built new lives in the United States.

Diana was one of the original members of the Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church in Midland, PA, dedicated in 1949. She was devoted to her Serbian Orthodox faith, teaching Sunday School for many years. In her retirement years, Diana enjoyed attending orthodox churches in the
communities of her children and became beloved to many parishioners.

Diana was an excellent student and lifelong learner. In mid-life she became a Registered Nurse
and pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Slippery Rock University, graduating at the top of her class. Her nursing career spanned over twenty-five years, primarily at the Medical Center of Beaver County, where she worked in a variety of areas: cardiac care, the department of health education and research, and administration. Diana was a mentor to many young nursing professionals, imparting her compassion, empathy, knowledge of patient care and love of learning. She was known as a supportive supervisor, inspiring young nurses to further their professional development and advance their careers.

Diana and Nick later moved to Beaver, PA, building a beautiful home with plenty of space and property for visiting grandchildren. In retirement, they began traveling the country visiting their daughters’ families and their many grandchildren. “Baba”, as she was known to her grandchildren, was kind and gentle with an abundance of love and could always be counted on to cuddle and quiet a fussy baby. She was a proud grandmother and always up for attending the many sports and school events of her grandchildren. They looked forward to her visits, particularly Baba’s excellent cooking and her many hugs and kisses. As her family expanded, she took delight in becoming “Baba Great” to thirteen great-grandchildren. Diana and Nick later moved to North Carolina and after Nick’s death, Diana split her time between her daughters’ homes.

Diana was well cared for in her later years by her family and a wonderful team of loving caretakers: Jemi, Zufan, Rochelle and Sally. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Nick Tarbuk Jr., and her siblings, Marcia Janich, Mike Shorak, Melva Hrynewich, Sally Gibson and George Shorak.

Diana is survived and will be greatly missed by her four daughters and spouses, Linda and John Krueger, Las Vegas, Nevada; Lisa and Kennon Barringer, Whitakers, North Carolina; Lori and Robert Hottle, Great Falls, Virginia; and Leslie and Michael Susich, West Palm Beach, Florida; much loved grandchildren, Larissa Evans, Nick Errichetto, William Barringer (Shina), Michelle Renegar (Blake), Ashley Hottle (Ryan Ellis), Erin Hottle (Patrick Ayers), Nichole Hottle, Katiann Susich, Brandon Susich (Melissa), Matthew Susich; step-grandchildren Anna Krueger Gurevitch and Rudy Krueger (Danielle); thirteen great-grandchildren, and many other nieces, nephews, kumovi and friends.

Viewing, pomen and funeral services will be held at St. Mark Orthodox Church, 7124 River Road, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817. Viewing and pomen will take place on Friday, February 9, 2024, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., preceded by visitation starting at 9:30. A private family interment will be held at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, Virginia, on Monday, February 12, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to:
St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 30 S 10th Street, Midland, Pennsylvania, or
St. Mark Orthodox Church, 7124 River Road, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817 https://stmarkoca.org/