Tamara Mutter

In remembrance of a loving soul so pure and beautiful who we miss every day. During the last fourteen months since her passing, our hearts have become a little lighter and we cherish her memories with love, tears, and happiness.

Tamara was a unique individual filled with so much love and kindness to her family and the lives of others she touched. This is what she would want to carry was her legacy, a gift to her family and her blessings for future generations.

With family by her side, she peacefully passed away after a brief and unexpected illness on July 1, 2024, CANADA DAY at the Grace Hospital. She was proud to be Canadian after immigrating to Canada in 1948 and celebrated her citizenship every year. She was 94 years old and was a resident at Lindenwood Terrace for the past ten years.

A Celebration of her Life was an invitation only event held at Ralph Connor House, Winnipeg on September 10, 2024. The interment took place in November with family members. Thompson In the Park/Dignity Memorial was in care of the arrangements.

She enjoyed meeting others, participating in events and loved talking to the staff members who were so kind and caring to her. After her marriage in 1950 she moved to Lee Blvd (Fort Garry) with her beloved late husband Leslie and lived there for fifty-four years.

She raised her family and spent valuable time with her grandsons at her home. It was their favoured place to come for food, fun and comfort. She was pre-deceased by her parents Hillary and Maria, her brother George, her husband Leslie Mutter and sister Anna Meyer. She is survived by one son, a daughter, and their families; Bernie Mutter (Kathy Bardwick) Burlington, ON, their four sons; Eric Mutter/Annie Langley, Ottawa, Ryan and Justin Mutter, Burlington, ON, Graham Mutter, located overseas. Daughter Laura Calder (Bob), their three sons; Shawn Calder (Janelle Beaudette), Geoff Calder (Rhea), Grant Calder. In addition, she had five great grandchildren (Douglas/Sienna, Camille, Savannah & Flynn).

In the past ten years, she was a resident of Lindenwood Terrace. The staff were wonderful and quite often chatted with them and fellow residents. Singing along with others through the COVID pandemic, during that time I saw how she took everything in stride with her patience and prayers. It was her faith that helped her through those months. Quite often she participated in events offered by the residence. Our Mom was a talented drawer with her fascination with clouds and the images she would draw were astonishing. Her September birthday flower, Aster, symbolizes powerful love, wisdom, faith, and strength, which described her perfectly. Since her birthday was September 10, this was an appropriate way to honour her.

Tamara was born in Kyiv, Russia. Growing up in a Communist country her family faced frequent hardships. My Mother had a huge responsibility at such an early age, travelling kilometers to get food rations. In the early hours of the morning, she would ride her bike or walk on her own taking food stamps with her. There were great risks that she took for her family during the famine. In her youth she also helped care for her mother, who had a chronic lung condition. This demonstrated qualities of a hardworking, kind, and an unselfish woman. She was very devoted to her family which included, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. On the lighter side, she spoke about fond memories while living in Kyiv. Her Father held a management position with his employer; on occasion he was able to offer Opera tickets to Tamara and her sister Anna. She attended performances at the Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Her passion for Opera started and continued through her entire life. She knew all the singers, music, and composers. She became a season ticket holder with Manitoba Opera for over fifty years, attending the concerts with her sister and friends. In her adolescence her family returned to Germany. So often she spoke about the beautiful landscape in Bavaria, while they lived in Burghausen. While attending school she had a part time job at the ticket office in a movie theater. Her fascination for movie classics began and was so well-informed on Hollywood trivia. Our Mother was a good dancer from joining various dances groups with her sister. As her daughter, I have wonderful memories of her teaching me how to waltz. While in Germany her friends and associates decided to call Tamara by her middle name Erica, which seemed very fitting. Their lives changed dramatically during the war as she witnessed tragedies before her. The frequent runs to bomb shelters were disturbing, to live with uncertainty was a terror for them. She suffered the tragic loss of her older brother that was wounded and died in the last few days of WWII. This was an unwanted sacrifice which filled the family with grief. Our mother always demonstrated grace and courage throughout her life.

Shortly after the war ended, Tamara with her family arrived at a refugee camp in Poland. At the age of seventeen, she immigrated to Canada in 1948. The family settled in Winnipeg, MB during a bitterly cold winter. Once they settled, she found employment at a sewing factory located in the Exchange District. Within a couple of years, she met her future husband Leslie Mutter, they were married in September of 1950. In the years that followed they started a family in 1957. This lady was rich in culture, who enjoyed entertaining using her great collection of Crystal and China dinner wear. Tamara was a highly intelligent person who was very linguistic. Her comprehension of Russian, German and Ukrainian in which she spoke perfectly.

Tamara was a talented gardener and proud of her seasonal flower gardens. A fabulous cook, a great conversationalist that loved talking to her family, friends and especially her grandchildren.

Her given nickname was Tootsie by her eldest grandchild, that name stuck with her as all her grandsons would call her that. In 2003 she became a widow after 52 years of marriage, she was a loyal constant companion to so many. Our Mother gave her unconditional love, support and understanding to all of us. She was resilient, a valuable resource to various people and a very kindhearted individual.

A Mother’s Love is the Greatest Gift