Marilyn and Gerhart Teuscher

Cherished wife for 59 years to Gerhart, loving mother to sons Richard and Jonathan, her daughter-in-law Martine, and grandmother to Julian and Valentina.

Born in Toronto, she had fond memories of growing up with her brother Harald (Hal), and their dear parents Margaret Eleanor Samis and Donald Francis Philp. The 1930’s and 40’s were a challenging time for everyone, and their family moved several times in the city. During the cold Toronto winters, Marilyn particularly enjoyed ice skating and tobogganing at High Park.

After graduating from Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, she completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto, majoring in French and German.

Languages had always been integral to her life, and led her to a posting at the Canadian Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and then to the Canadian Embassy in Bonn, Germany.

It was in Bonn where she first met Gerhart, who was working as an interpreter and translator at the Canadian embassy. Thus began a cross-Atlantic romance. Later, when she moved back to Canada to teach high school, Gerhart soon followed her, first studying in the US. Marilyn recounted the story that when he proposed to her with an engagement ring, she would gaze at the ring with a smile during all of the drive from the US back to Canada.

On June 13, 1964, they married at Hart House at the University of Toronto, and moved to Dundas. In the Valley Town they raised 2 children in a happy environment, tirelessly encouraging their sons in their studies and life.

Marilyn also devoted her energy to help a son with learning disabilities, Jonathan, to complete his degree at Carleton University. When he passed away at the age of 26 from lymphoma, she sold her engagement ring to help establish a memorial scholarship in his name.

Marilyn also loved art and design, following courses at the Dundas Valley School of Art, and studying for a degree in Interior Design at Sheridan College at the age of 50. In her later years she continued to travel with Gerhart to Europe, enjoying visits to the British museum, and the Musée d’Orsay in France.

In her last 2 years she was cared for at home by her devoted husband, until she moved to Margaret’s Place hospice for her final months. The family is very grateful to everyone at Margaret’s Place for the excellent and professional care she received there.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 31st at 1pm at the MARLATT FUNERAL HOME “Swackhamer Chapel”, 195 King Street West, Dundas.

If desired, donations to Margaret’s Place Hospice or the Victoria Order of Nurses would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.marlattfhdundas.com