April 13, 1936 - January 29, 2025
It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of our mother and grandmother, Rosemarie Keller on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at home in her 89th year.
Predeceased by her parents, Heinrich and Viktoria Hofmann and her husband of 53 years, Gunter (2014), Rosemarie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Bernie VanDenBelt, her son, Fr. Peter Keller, as well as her granddaughters, Victoria and Olivia VanDenBelt.
Rosemarie was born in 1936 in a small tight-knit village in Germany. After completing her education, Mom thrived in her career as an office administrator in a private medical clinic. Seating arrangements at communal dining table at a vacation lodge randomly placed Mom beside Gunter, visiting from Canada at the time. That initial dinner led to two years of trans-Atlantic letters, culminating in marriage and Mom joining Dad in Canada in 1961.
Mom fully immersed herself in this next phase of her life as a wife, mother and new Canadian, learning the language and forming many long-lasting friendships. For many decades, she was well known in our neighbourhood for her freshly brewed (motor oil) coffee, delectable baking, and wonderful traditional German cooking.
Once the family side of life was running efficiently, Mom found she had time on her hands. She became a Birthright counsellor, delivered Meals on Wheels for over 25 years and was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League, participating in many bazaars, bus trips, conventions and funeral luncheons.
Later in life, she became the primary care provider for Dad – not always an easy role for a spouse to take on. She was also a breast cancer survivor. Well done, Mom!
We want to thank Dr. Grace Langford for her wonderful care over the past 30 years and her pep talks when the going got tough.
We are also grateful to Dawn at Home Instead for compassionately helping us navigate Mom’s care journey. Special heartfelt thanks to Mom’s amazing caregiver, Rhonda, who was with Mom in her final hours.
Friends and family are invited to the visitation at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford on Tuesday, February 4, from 1-4 p.m. with CWL prayers at 3:45 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 5, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 50 Well Street, Stratford. Interment at Avondale Cemetery followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
Memorial donations may be made to the Stratford General Hospital Cancer and Medical Care Clinic. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com