Zita Kuegle

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Zita Kuegle (nee Opperer), who died peacefully after a short illness in Mississauga on June 9, 2024, in her 93rd year. Zita was born on May 14, 1932, to Johann and Monika Opperer in Rohrdorf (Bavaria) and grew up in war-torn Germany. Zita first attended university in Nurnberg where she earned a degree in chemistry, and where she also met her future husband Reiner, who was studying medicine. After they both graduated, they emigrated to Canada in 1957 and settled in Hamilton, where Reiner established his medical practice, with Zita as his assistant. They had two children, Michael and Peter. Reiner died at a young age in 1965. Zita gathered herself up in her adopted country, moved to Burlington with her sons and her parents-in-law, and decided to return to her studies. She attended the University of Toronto from 1968 to1972 and earned a degree in Pharmacy. Upon graduating, Zita obtained a position at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, where she worked as a Pharmacist until her retirement. Zita was always cheerful and bringing happiness to others. She was an avid student of life, with book in hand reading, and always current in political and current events around her and in the world. She loved to travel, at first taking her children on trips to discover the beauty of Canada (single-handedly embarking on road trips and camping trips across Canada and the US), and to learn about other cultures and peoples in then-undiscovered corners of the Caribbean and in Europe. When her boys married and started their own families, she continued to travel both solo (to newly-opened China in 1982, later Iceland, Egypt, the Middle East), and also with friends and with her growing family. Her love of life was infectious to all around her. When Zita and Reiner arrived in Hamilton they became parishioners of St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church in Hamilton. Zita remained dedicated to this little church even after she moved to Burlington in 1966, becoming involved in the parish council, and ultimately becoming parish council president. The Catholic Church was Zita’s rock in good times and in difficult times. Zita was thrilled to attend the public audiences of the popes in her life, including Pope John XXIII in the early 1960’s with Reiner, Pope John Paul II in 2000 with Michael, Peter and their families, and Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, again with her family. Daily mass on television was an important part of her daily routine as she grew older. Zita is survived by her son Michael and daughter-in-law Beverley, son Peter and daughter-in-law Florence, grandchildren Paul (Amanda), Catherine (Liam), Frances (Roberto), Marc (Sarah), Chantal, and Robert (Laura), and great-grandchildren Aurora, Adaline, Gabriel, Xavier, Peter, Violet, Grace, and Cecilia, and by her sister Betti and sisters-in-law Traudl and Bettl. Many thanks to the wonderful staff, nurses and personal support workers at Port Credit Retirement Residences and Care Partners of Mississauga for the kind and dedicated care Zita received. Funeral Mass will be held at 10am on June 20, 2024 at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, 700 King St. W, in Hamilton. An interment of ashes will take place at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Burlington, Ontario at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted with Markey Dermody Funeral Home at 1774 King St. E. in Hamilton. Memorials or donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The St. Vincent de Paul Society.