Marjorie Florence Kraemer

Passed away peacefully on Dec. 26, 2013 at Sunnyside Home, Kitchener, at the age of 99 after celebrating her 100th Christmas. Born in Berlin, Ontario on December 17, 1914, Marjorie was the youngest child of Oscar Lauber and Alma "Ella" Dettmer. Predeceased by her parents, her husband Leo (1988), sister Irene (Karl) Miller, brothers Willard, Harold, infant daughter Nancy and granddaughter Rae Marie Giovinazzo. Survived by her children: Bernadine Giovinazzo (Jim), George (Penny), Jeanine Kraemer Beaupre (Ron), Chris (Stephanie Noel), Daniel (Joanne), Merri Kraemer Slagell (Eugene); grandchildren: Monica (Marvin) Zeniuk, Angela (Dan) Rulton, and Mike (Tanya) Giovinazzo, Nancy (Brad) Wheeler, Rich (Vicktoria) and Gary (Krista) Kraemer, Stephanie (Tim) Spencer and Tim (Michele) Kraemer, Dustin, Laura and Jacqueline Kraemer; great-grandchildren: James and Joshua Rulton, Zach and Samantha Wheeler, Liam, Kieran and Violet Kraemer, Cohen, Ashton and Caleigh Spencer, Emily and Ella Kraemer. Lovingly remembered by niece Carlene Miller who brought her so much joy in her later years. Also survived by many other nieces, nephews and sister-in-law Betty Kraemer.

Marjorie received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation and Matrimony at St. Mary's Church. She married Leo Kraemer on May 24, 1938, sharing 50 years of memories before his passing.

Mom was born and resided in the North Ward, living on Louisa St. or as she jokingly referred to it, "the other side of the tracks", for almost 90 years in an unchanging community of familiar neighbours. It was at Sacred Heart Parish that she began her 75-year membership in the Catholic Women's League. In 1982 she began a mission to have the city acknowledge her father's 25 years of voluntary service on the Park Board; 16 of these years he served as Chairman. As a result of her original efforts, and with recent momentum from the family, the city will soon name a small park on Louisa Street after Oscar Lauber.

Marj and Leo raised 6 children and loved to travel. With their central heating business firmly established in Kitchener, this led them to move the family to England for a year in 1965 in order to expand the business there and benefit from many side trips throughout Europe.

Marj loved to sing and was active in many choirs from her teens to her twilight years including the Philharmonic Choir, the 1930 YMCA Chorus, and a CYO group featured on CKCR radio. She especially enjoyed many years participating in St. Teresa's choir. Occasionally, Mom would surprise Concordia Club revelers at Oktoberfest by standing up and encouraging her grown children and everyone at the surrounding tables to join in song under her direction. Throughout the years, Mom, along with three generations of her family, enjoyed watching the parade together on King St. near Louisa.

In 1952 Marjorie began a life-long devotion to the Carmel of St. Joseph, which supports the ministry of the cloistered Carmelite nuns, located in St. Agatha. She hosted and acted as a liaison to the families of the nuns from across the country. On behalf of the nuns, Marjorie kept a record of all articles published in The Record relating to their activities. For several years, she was the convenor of the annual card party and salad supper, a highly anticipated fundraiser that was always sold out.

Mom learned to drive at 65. Her shiny new driver’s licence, good health and stamina allowed her to continue her passion for playing bridge at friends’ houses, the Granite Club and the Rockway Senior Centre into her 93rd year. In addition, she could more readily continue her volunteer work with RAISE, St. Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary and also take communion to the sick and shut-in of the parish.

The last decade of Mom's life was enjoyed at a slower pace. For three years she lived with her daughter Bernadine and her son-in-law Jim. She traveled daily to St. Mark's chapel on her scooter - rain, shine and even snow!

Her journey progressed to Winston Park and, finally, to Sunnyside Home. Her needs were met by many wonderful people on Woodside including volunteer Edee Vogt Schmitt, whom she had known as a tiny triplet on Louisa Street 70 years earlier, and Teresa Ruetz, whose grandparents Sam and Minnie Fackoury were Marj and Leo's best friends. Once again, Marj was singing all the old songs she knew and loved thanks to Teresa's Music Therapy Program with Bernadine at the piano. The circle is complete.

Family and friends will be received at Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home, 621 King St. W, Kitchener, on Friday Jan 3, 2014 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m, with vigil prayers at 8:45pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Jan 4 at Blessed Sacrament RC Church, 305 Laurentian Drive, Kitchener at 12 noon. A reception will follow immediately after in the church hall.

In memory of Marjorie, donations to the Carmel of St. Joseph, 1127 Carmel-Koch Road, RR1 St. Agatha, or Sunnyside Home, 247 Franklin St. N. Kitchener, would be greatly appreciated.