On Tuesday, November 28, 2017, Darla Doreen Giannoulis passed away at the age of 50 years after a battle with depression following the loss of her son, Elias, which left her heartbroken. Darla was born on April 9, 1967 in BC. Shortly after she was born, she was adopted by her father, Frank Biro and mother, Doreen Biro. Darla moved around lots when she was younger, living in Cache Creek, BC, Preeceville, SK, Vernon, BC, Red Deer, AB and Regina, SK, where she graduated from high school. Darla worked at Friday's as well as Houston Pizza in Yorkton, SK and also owned her own business, Candy Bouquet. While living in Yorkton, Darla married Peter Giannoulis. Darla and Peter were blessed with three children. Her oldest son, Zachary, was born on February 28, 1991; her middle son, Alexandros, was born on January 28, 1993 and her youngest son, Elias, was born on December 5, 1994. Darla was the ultimate mother, never passing up the opportunity to cheer her children on in everything they did. Whether it was taking Zack to the skateboard park, driving Elias all over the province for hockey or just taking Alex down the street to the rink to referee a hockey game, she was always doing things for her children. She was an amazing mother who her children were all so proud of. Darla was a lifelong learner. She pursued a post-secondary education later on in her life, dedicating numerous hours both in the classroom and through correspondence to get herself a better education and better provide for her family. Her hard work paid off and she was rewarded with diplomas, certificates and scholarships, all of which she was very proud of. Darla was talented at everything she did. She loved cross stitching, making gift baskets, creating scrapbooks, cooking with her grandchildren, cheering Elias on during his numerous marathons and visiting with her friends and family. She worked for Parkland Sobeys in Yorkton for several years before being hired by SaskPower. She worked for SaskPower in Yorkton and then transferred to the Regina SaskPower office where she worked until the time of her passing. Darla and Greg met in September of 2014. They instantly hit it off. Darla was always the life of the party which definitely caught Greg's attention. On Christmas Day of 2016, Greg asked Darla to marry him and Darla said yes! Darla was so excited, calling her family and friends to share the news and show off the ring that Greg had given her. Darla truly was looking forward to spending the rest of her life with Greg. Darla adored her grandchildren and they adored "Grandma Darla". Darla loved spoiling them with gifts, having them over for sleepovers and cooking with them. Darla always talked about how much her grandchildren meant to her and how much she loved them and it was very evident when you saw her together with all of them. Darla loved travelling. When she was five years old, her Dad told her that he would take her to Disneyland. It wasn't talked about again. That is, until her 7th birthday, when she walked into her Dad's house and announced, "I'm seven now and we're going to Disneyland". Darla had never forgotten her Dad's promise. Darla loved driving to Kelowna to visit her brother and her nephews. She and Greg also loved hitting the open road and cruising down to the United States on Greg's Harley Davidson pulling a little trailer that doubled as their second home on wheels. Darla and Greg travelled to Whitefish, Montana, Missoula, Montana, the Black Hills, St. Victor, Cuba and Mexico, just to name a few. Darla and Greg had a vacation in Mexico booked for early December that Darla was looking forward to going on. Darla and Greg had recently gotten a dog who they fittingly named Harley as a tribute to Greg's love for motorcycles. Darla loved Harley dearly, taking him for daily walks around the block and throwing his toys around the house with him. Darla and Greg sadly had to give up Harley for adoption as they were gone for work much of the time and didn't feel that it was fair to Harley to have to spend days at home by himself. Darla always put other people before herself and this was just one example. Darla shed many tears giving Harley away but it brought her some happiness knowing that he was recently adopted again to a loving family where he could be loved as much as she and Greg loved him. Darla's life was turned upside down on June 3, 2017 when her youngest son, Elias, took his own life. Darla knew that Elias had been struggling with depression and it caused her so much pain knowing that one of her children was in constant pain. Darla was such a loving mother and the pain of losing one of her children was too much for her to bear. Darla tried to get better, spending several weeks in the hospital on several occasions, but her heart was so broken from losing Elias that she did not believe that she could continue living without Elias. Darla was blessed with a new grandchild who was born on October 29, 2017. Alex and Brooke had a baby boy and named him Maverick Elias in memory of Elias. Knowing that Elias' name would live through her grandson touched Darla deeply and it made her very proud. Darla and Greg travelled to Wilkie just a few days after Maverick was born so that she could meet her new grandchild. Darla's eyes lit up when she first saw him and she immediately held onto him, gave him a big hug, smothered him with kisses and said to him, "Grandma loves you". Darla was predeceased by her mother, Doreen Mattison; her father, Frank Biro; her son, Elias Giannoulis and her beloved Golden Retriever, Jake. She is survived by her son, Zachary; her son, Alexandros and his wife, Brooke; her fiancé, Greg Ulmer and his children Derrick (Krystal), Sheena (Dane) Hawkins and Randi Davis; her step-mother, Margaret Biro; her brother, Tracey Biro; her nephews, Michael, Steven, Jamie, Nathan and Caleb; her niece, Kalliopi; her grandchildren, Grace, Ella, Clara, Hayden, Beau, Nixon, Ryder, Chloe and Maverick and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, coworkers and friends. Darla's family takes comfort knowing that she is together again with Elias, her mother and her father. A Visitation took place at the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service to celebrate Darla's life took place from the Gallagher Centre on Monday, December 4, 2017 at 1:00 pm with Reverend Roland Legge officiating. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by Darla's son, Alexandros Giannoulis. Special music was shared by Jackie Guy who performed the songs, "Go Rest High On That Mountain", "If I Die Young" and "See You Again". The Interment Service took place at the Yorkton City Cemetery. The Honourary pall bearers were Darla's Grandchildren; Ryder, Chloe, Maverick, Grace, Ella, Clara, Hayden, Beau and Nixon. The Active pall bearers were Alexandros Giannoulis, Zachary Giannoulis, Tracey Biro, Nathan Biro, Caleb Biro and Ron Risling. Friends so wishing may make donations in Darla's memory to the Canadian Mental Health Association as token of remembrance. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. "Life is not forever. Love is."
