May 15, 1937 - February 22, 2025
Marianne (Wald) Wesche, age 87, of Stratford Ontario passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Spruce Lodge (Stratford) surrounded by her family. Marianne was born on May 15, 1937, in Schweinfurt, Germany, the daughter of the late Anton and Auguste Wald. Marianne was a loving and devoted wife to her late husband Hans Wesche; they were married for 67 years. Proud mother of Richard (Mary) Wesche, Tom (Tammy) Wesche and Evelyn Gilkinson and beloved Oma of Kate, Eric, Tyler, Nicola (Nate) and Amanda.
Marianne’s career started with her training and apprenticeship as a pelznäherin (fur seamstress) in Schweinfurt, Germany. After Marianne’s immigration to Canada, she worked in the fur trade in Toronto and spent several years working at Searle Furs in Stratford. Following the closing of Searle Furs, Marianne became an integral member of the Stratford Festival Wardrobe Department. Marianne had completed 25 seasons upon her retirement in 2000. In her role as a First Hand, Marianne contributed to the creation of costumes that brought the theatrical productions to life.
Marianne cherished the people and experiences she had while working at the theatre. Marianne developed and maintained many longstanding friendships with those she worked alongside. She was a mentor to fellow team members, passing along her expertise. She loved seeing others succeed.
Marianne applied her impeccable taste and attention to detail to everything she did. She was an avid seamstress, quilter, knitter/crocheter, gardener and cook. She created many handmade gifts for friends and family especially her grandchildren. Marianne took great pride and joy in preparing German meals and baked goods, many still made by her family to this day.
Marianne was a loving, supportive, and hard-working mother and Oma to her children and grandchildren. She spent countless hours at rinks and soccer fields across Ontario and Michigan cheering them on.
Marianne’s lively, fun, and adventurous spirit coupled with her quick wit and sense of humour made her someone her family and friends enjoyed spending time with.
Along with her parents and Hans, Marianne was predeceased by her brother Guenther Wald of Burlington, North Carolina. Marianne loved her brother deeply and treasured the time that she and Hans spent walking and swimming at the beach and going to happy hour with him and the gang in Cherry Grove, South Carolina.
The family would like to thank the entire care team at Spruce Lodge for the outstanding love, care, and kindness they gave to Marianne.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Spruce Lodge Foundation through the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford Ontario.
Please feel free to share memories, photos and/or condolences at www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com.