Whether Diana Tomko was serving breakfast to a CEO who had an early-morning meeting or a factory worker coming off the night shift, it was always “service with a smile.” Jim Broadhurst, chairman and CEO of the Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, described Mrs. Tomko as a role model for the food service industry, calling her “a terrific woman and a waitress who was both competent and gracious.” Diana Marie Tomko, of Swissvale, a 35-year-employee of Eat’n Park, died of cancer on Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at her home. She was 61. “Diana often waited on me for breakfast,” said Broadhurst. “It was a treat. She not only had a great smile, but she was very thorough in what she did. “And her demeanor never changed, whether she was waiting on you early in the morning or later in the afternoon.” Broadhurst said Mrs. Tomko willingly participated in many of the corporation’s fundraisers. “For years, Diana volunteered to become involved in our fundraising programs for Children’s Hospital free care.” He recalled the weeks before Mrs. Tomko’s death. “I’d be on the phone with her. As ill as she was, she put a positive spin on her illness. She was not going to give up.” Born and raised in Munhall, Diana Szuba was one of two children of the late Edward W. and Anna Ondic Szuba. Her father was a truck driver. In 1962, she graduated from Munhall High School, where she was a member of the Sweet Sioux, the school’s marching band. “Mom attended the University of Miami and Robert Morris University, where she received an associate degree in secretarial science,” said her daughter, Lisa Tomko. In 1969, prior to beginning her career as a waitress, she married Paul Tomko, of Swissvale, who she had met two years earlier. “Mom started her career at Homestead No. 6 on Eighth Avenue, before moving to the Waterfront after No. 6 was closed,” her daughter said. “The customers who knew that she was my mother would often comment on her kindness and concern for them, especially when they weren’t feeling well.” Lisa Tomko recalled the times when she and her brother, Joseph, would visit their mother at the Homestead Eat’n Park. “We knew that we’d be treated to a super burger and french fries. And we looked forward to the days when Mom would often bring the super burgers home for us.” She said her mother volunteered to work in the kitchen during the bazaars at Madonna del Castello Church, where the Tomkos were members. Mrs. Tomko is survived by her husband, Paul “Sonny” Tomko Jr.; daughter, Lisa Tomko of Plum; son, Joseph Tomko, of Imperial; and sister, Barbara Vargo, of Munhall. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Stathers Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 7400 Irvine St., Swissvale. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Madonna del Castello Church, Swissvale. Burial will be at All Saints Braddock Catholic Cemetery.

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