Matilda Unger

Matilda Unger (nee Goritz) was born September 29, 1941 in Steinbach, Manitoba. She passed away at Abbotsford Regional Hospital on December 18, 2021 at the age of 80 years. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Otto and Julienne Rempel; her Mom Matilda Goritz; her husband Ernie, son Darrell and granddaughter Braelynn. She is survived by her children Debbie (Rick) and Teresa (Kelly); grandchildren Bryce, Sheri, Justin, Kieran, Anthony, Tyler and Meagan, and 9 great-grandchildren, and one due in ___.

Mom had a rough start in her life. Shortly before her Mom’s and her discharge from the hospital, her Mom passed away (our Mom was one week old). Her Mom’s parents buried their daughter after her death, and then went to the hospital to pick up our Mom (no one had picked her up) to take care of her, along with their own 15 kids. Her real father said he couldn’t raise her. He remarried 2-3 months later, and had 7 children. Years later he asked for her to come join them, but she was comfortable living with her Mom’s parents. From our understanding she had very little contact with her Dad. We just found out recently that she was named after her mom, Matilda Goritz. She learned to speak German in her home, as that is all her grandparents spoke.

Matilda and Ernie married on April 8, 1961 and had many adventures together until he passed away in 2003. She lived alone in their house until her passing. She had a wonderful neighbour, Les, who helped her with many things and was there keeping an eye on her.

In April 1967 they packed their 2 children and everything else they could squeeze into the car, and arrived in the Fraser Valley with only their few possessions and $500 in cash. Mom looked after household things, while Dad started work in the chicken industry. Then in July 1968 they welcomed their third child Teresa. Then in 1974 they bought their first poultry farm in BC.

Besides attending to household duties, Mom also worked at the office for Coastline Chicks, later at the hatchery at the front desk. She rarely missed a day of work, and she worked till 3 months before she passed away. That is amazing, but it gave her some socializing and kept her brain sharp. Her memory was amazing right to the end – often remembering things that we would have trouble with. She could recite phone numbers and knew exactly when all of her bills were due.

In the late 70’s Dad bought the local junior “A” hockey team, the Abbotsford Flyers. Mom helped out a lot with various duties for the team. She enjoyed hockey, and even at the end she would watch the Vancouver Canucks on tv.

Mom never felt the need to get her driver’s licence, but when she was in here early 40’s she did just that. It was nice for her to have some freedom, and she got the chance to go shopping on her own, which she enjoyed. That’s quite the feat to get it at that stage in life and she drove until 3 months before her passing.

We don’t remember when Mom started 5-pin bowling, but she bowled for many, many years. She may not have been the best bowler, as evidenced by her “skunk” trophies, but that did not stop her from loving it. She finally gave it up about 4-5 years ago.

Dad and Mom enjoyed travelling when they became empty-nesters. They enjoyed cruising, Vegas and Hawaii. After Dad passed, that was the end of Mom’s travels, but she was ok with it.

Mom enjoyed doing puzzles after Dad passed away. It passed the time in the evening and kept her brain sharp.

She had a special love for flowers. She enjoyed having them around, whether inside in a vase or outside in the front yard. People would often stop by and comment on her gorgeous flowers outside. The brighter the colour, the prettier they were to her.

As the family grew, along came the grandchildren, starting in 2013. Mom enjoyed them, as evidenced by so many pics of her with the grands. At one family gathering of ours, she decided that she wanted to be called Great Granny and that is how she would sign cards. She loved family gatherings, but she was a quiet, observant person. She loved just being around family and observing everything. On a few occasions, we were even able to get her to join in some games, and she would often stay late.

Mom had some special meals that she would make. Her turkey cutlets were out of this world, and to this day we can’t duplicate them. She also made delicious cabbage rolls and introduced us to a fabulous dessert, pineapple squares. When we were younger, we always had a meat, potatoes and veggie dinner.

Mom will be greatly missed, but she has left us with lasting memories.

We miss you and love you Mom!

Memories are gifts left for us by the ones we love…

And our hearts can open them again and again.

God has not promised….

Skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through,

God has not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God has promised...

strength for the day,

Rest for the labour, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

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