Margot Inge Grunow

We are saddened and relieved to announce the passing of Margot Inge Grunow after a 5 year battle with dementia on January 16th 2026. She lived a full life in her own home on her terms for 86 years before being struck by this disease .

She was born in Berlin, Germany in 1934 just five years before the start of the Second World War, and lived her formative years through these difficult times. As a teenager she chose millinery ( hat making) as her vocation. This was the start of her passion for modelling and fashion design which she pursued most of her life. In the mid 1950’s she married Erhard Wolter( twice, but that’s another story ) and had her first son, Michael. They separated in the 1960’s and shortly thereafter she met her second husband Joachim Grunow and had her second son Christian. Driven by her sense of adventure and Joachim’s then current work in the Yukon Territory, they applied to immigrate to Canada and moved to Vancouver, BC . After a short year of assimilation, her fashion talent culminated in her opening of “Atelier Ehser” in West Vancouver, where she produced her unique designs for all, including the bridesmaids dresses for Margret Trudeau’s bridesmaids. During this time she was joined by her talented dressmaking mother Käthe, husband Karl, and sister Angelika who also immigrated to Vancouver from Berlin. Eventually Margot moved to Vancouver Island making Victoria, Cobble Hill , and finally Duncan her home. Her happiest days were spent on her farm in Cobble Hill with all her animals; horses, cows, pigs - all of which had endearing names! She also had numerous dog partners over the years which kept her very happy and content. She stayed very healthy well into her eighties while exercising her four-legged companions . Her adventurous life will live on in our memories along with all her prolific artwork hanging on our walls that she painted over the years.

She leaves her sons Michael Wolter(Kelly) and Christian Grunow(Jackie) grandchildren Tristan and Natalie Wolter, sister Angelika Bekesinski(Kim) with many warm memories. We are grateful for them all.