Antoinette Sylvia Schindelka

Our dear Netta was born in East Ham, London and raised there and in Hayes, Middlesex, the only child of Walter and Irene Murphy.

She married David Hutchings and emigrated to Canada where they lovingly raised two sons, Marcus (Tomomi) and Jonathan (Deborah).

As a widow, Netta’s mother (Rene) married Bryan Salmon and Sam spent many years part of Netta’s all-important family life.

In 1990 Netta married her soulmate, Kim, and they had 35 wondrous, loving years together.

Netta loved the arts: painting, sculpture, pottery, carving, opera, literature, theatre, fashion, gardening, decorating. And she had a warm regard for all that was human.

Netta relished being a grandmother to Sophia, Freida and Nina. They were the apples of her eye, and she adored spending time with them, shopping for that just-right item, and later watching them indulge themselves with gift money. She loved raising boys, but these were the cherished daughters she didn’t have. We see aspects of her in each of them.

Netta was essentially a private person, never wanting to be in the limelight, or “dramatic”. She was a trained and skilled drama teacher who prepared students to be on stage but for herself, she preferred backstage. Most who knew her will find this a surprise because her wit and humour and sense of the silly and funny, combined with theatrical skills, did shine in a room, despite her innate shyness.

Of course, she declined any service or celebration. So please celebrate her whenever you find yourself experiencing one of the many joys that life offers.