Born to two loving parents whom unfortunately had sever health problems which took their lives at a reletively young age leaving both Diana and her older sister Paula orphaned. Relatives on both sides of the family took the girls in but mother always felt "not really wanted" this left her with a strong desire to have and love her children deeply. Mom met my father, Bob Raczka while he was on leave from the navy in Jacksonville Florida. Married and pregnant Mom moved to Buffalo NY where Bob's family resided. The early years were not easy, my mother felt lost in a very polish ethnic family, she worked odd jobs to help support the family working in a small grocery store, evenings only to run across a bank robber! Living on the west side of buffalo they then bought the a home on 1719 Parker Blvd, Tonawanda NY. My father at that time was a good husband and provider, he also added square footage to the house on Parker as more children were born.

About Diana

Stories

Mom was special in so many ways, her life was one of loss, struggle, hardship and immense joy. Having her in my life brings back so many colorful memories ( like the time her and I went looking for a micro memory card that had popped out of a camera she had been using only to find it later that day stuck to her heavily sprayed hair!), I thought it would be fruitful to have a section allocated to the more meaningful and funny memories and events that any and all of us were part of.

Fireworks

Our mother was a real trooper, putting up with Bob Raczka's kids was no easy task, I'm remembering that July summer when the fireworks went awry on the back pool area only to fall and start shooting balls of flames at us all hiding under the back porch roof with mother say her hair started on fire! You would think that would be terms for eviction but no that party must go on and it did.