Diane Duke once worked at a cafeteria in Regina, Canada. The 68-year-old cook made meals for more than just her customers, but prepared delicious treats for the city's firefighters for over 13 years. After so many free dishes from their devoted friend, the firefighters from Regina Fire Station in Saskatchewan have presented Duke with the surprise of a lifetime.
An opportunity to show appreciation
One of the department's firefighters, Chris Prohar, also works for a roofing company in the area. According to Today News, one day while Prohar was repairing a roof across the street from Duke, her son, Chris Duke, walked over to get an estimate on a new roof for his parents' home.
Duke had to quit her job and stop her weekly visits to the fire department after her husband was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome. However, her last visit wasn't the final time she would see the Regina firefighters.
After discovering who Chris Duke's mother was, Prohar jumped on the opportunity to give back to the generous woman who had presented him and his fellow servicemembers with a hot meal every Friday for so many years. He gathered 19 members of the fire department to build Duke a roof for free. With the help of donations from local building companies Dynamic Roofing and Kenroc, the group was able to provide a high-quality roof for Duke and her husband.
"She's an incredible lady," Prohar told Today News. "She's been looking after us for so long now, we consider her family and it's our pleasure to take care of her."
A final meal
KSDK.com noted that Duke gave the firefighters more than just food during her career at the cafeteria, but served as a mother figure for many of them. She would often stay and talk with the servicemembers and give them hugs, which many would wait around after their shifts for.
"I was shocked, but so happy," Diane explained to Today News. "I brought them food out of the goodness of my heart and never expected anything in return."
After spending three hours building the roof for Duke, she gave them one last treat and provided them with a meal. The group reminisced on memories they had with Duke. Her son told Today News that she has a much greater impact on the men's lives than he had anticipated. Even other firefighters from the area stopped by to meet Duke and show their support.
Duke told the news source that she will continue serving others, no matter who they are, and that she is grateful for the generous surprise.