Obituary for Marieanne Schilz
MARIEANNE SCHILZ March 30, 1932 – January 23, 2021 It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of our adored mother and Oma.
Dearly loved wife of late husband Ernst (Ernie) who passed in 1967. Loving and proud mother of Frank/Butch (Robin), Michael (Susan), Esther and Annette/Nettie. Dearest Oma to Michael/Mikey (Jenna), Jennifer (Josh), Victoria/Torie (Rick), Alexandria/Alex, Jakob, Stephanie, Breanne/Annie (Stephen) and Patrick. Great Oma to Zoe and Liam.
Marieanne, also known to many as Annchen, grew up in a small suburb of Hamburg known as Poppenbüttel in northern Germany. She was an only child and had many cousins from her mother’s side with whom she had close relationships. Her childhood years took her right through WWII and the stories she shared about the bombings, air raids and food shortages were incredible. Her passion for sewing started at an early age, and she learned her craft as a seamstress in Germany through her teenage years. With the encouragement of a few close friends, she decided at the age of 21 to go to Canada for a year to learn English and work. It was going to be the start of an adventure that lasted more than 67 years. On the ship to Canada called The Nelly, she met a young man named Ernst, also looking to experience something new. He landed in Toronto and she in Perth, but as fate would have it they met again at a local dance put on for the German immigrants. He was the love of her life, they wed in 1955 and had 4 children. We lost Dad tragically in a car accident in 1967 but through all that Mom never showed anything but strength to her children after his loss.
Faced with the sudden void in her life, she once again applied her seamstress talents to many shops in the Toronto area throughout her long career and retired from Oakes Design Studio (a bridal design shop). She made so many beautiful wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses she couldn’t remember all that she did. She always needed to be busy with her hands and she would always find something to do; sewing, knitting, Christmas décor, and handmade cards. In her later years she developed a passion for quilting and made beautiful and personal quilts for each of the family members. She also loved jigsaw puzzles and at times would stay up into the wee hours completing a puzzle, although it was usually a challenge because inevitably there would be a few pieces that fell off the table, underneath the sofa which of course she could never find. She also had a passion for games and playing her lottery tickets each week! She always hoped that she would win big so she could provide for her kids and grandkids. She enjoyed going to casinos to play the slots, again hoping for that big win.
Family was the most important thing to her. In a note she left for the family, she said “Family was always the most important thing in my life and I love you all so very much. I was so blessed by all your love and care for me and I had a wonderful life!! Thank you for giving me such loving grandchildren. I am so proud of all of you.” She did everything for her family in a completely selfless manner. She was the most caring, compassionate, and understanding person anyone could know. She was our rock, our forever constant and we will all miss her very, very much.
Mom, love of our lives, now you are at peace with Dad, Omi and Opa.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date when we are able to be together and share our memories. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association or Crohn’s & Colitis Canada.
Dearly loved wife of late husband Ernst (Ernie) who passed in 1967. Loving and proud mother of Frank/Butch (Robin), Michael (Susan), Esther and Annette/Nettie. Dearest Oma to Michael/Mikey (Jenna), Jennifer (Josh), Victoria/Torie (Rick), Alexandria/Alex, Jakob, Stephanie, Breanne/Annie (Stephen) and Patrick. Great Oma to Zoe and Liam.
Marieanne, also known to many as Annchen, grew up in a small suburb of Hamburg known as Poppenbüttel in northern Germany. She was an only child and had many cousins from her mother’s side with whom she had close relationships. Her childhood years took her right through WWII and the stories she shared about the bombings, air raids and food shortages were incredible. Her passion for sewing started at an early age, and she learned her craft as a seamstress in Germany through her teenage years. With the encouragement of a few close friends, she decided at the age of 21 to go to Canada for a year to learn English and work. It was going to be the start of an adventure that lasted more than 67 years. On the ship to Canada called The Nelly, she met a young man named Ernst, also looking to experience something new. He landed in Toronto and she in Perth, but as fate would have it they met again at a local dance put on for the German immigrants. He was the love of her life, they wed in 1955 and had 4 children. We lost Dad tragically in a car accident in 1967 but through all that Mom never showed anything but strength to her children after his loss.
Faced with the sudden void in her life, she once again applied her seamstress talents to many shops in the Toronto area throughout her long career and retired from Oakes Design Studio (a bridal design shop). She made so many beautiful wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses she couldn’t remember all that she did. She always needed to be busy with her hands and she would always find something to do; sewing, knitting, Christmas décor, and handmade cards. In her later years she developed a passion for quilting and made beautiful and personal quilts for each of the family members. She also loved jigsaw puzzles and at times would stay up into the wee hours completing a puzzle, although it was usually a challenge because inevitably there would be a few pieces that fell off the table, underneath the sofa which of course she could never find. She also had a passion for games and playing her lottery tickets each week! She always hoped that she would win big so she could provide for her kids and grandkids. She enjoyed going to casinos to play the slots, again hoping for that big win.
Family was the most important thing to her. In a note she left for the family, she said “Family was always the most important thing in my life and I love you all so very much. I was so blessed by all your love and care for me and I had a wonderful life!! Thank you for giving me such loving grandchildren. I am so proud of all of you.” She did everything for her family in a completely selfless manner. She was the most caring, compassionate, and understanding person anyone could know. She was our rock, our forever constant and we will all miss her very, very much.
Mom, love of our lives, now you are at peace with Dad, Omi and Opa.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date when we are able to be together and share our memories. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association or Crohn’s & Colitis Canada.