Obituary of Kathe Boehm
Kathe (Katie) Boehm
January 13, 1925 – December 21, 2020
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Katie Boehm in her 96th year, peacefully at home in Leamington with her daughter Karen at her side. Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Werner in 1994, a wonderful and deeply loved Mom and Nana, she will be missed by her children Ingrid and Karen, her Granddaughter Zara, Son (in-law) Dr. G. Bryan Young, and by Adam (Grandson-in-law) and Baby Caelan, her new Great Grandson. Her greatest joy was her family.
Kathe (Katie) Boehm (known to her family as “Nana” after the birth of Zara) was born in the German farming community of Gelu, Timis-Tor Romania in 1925. Her father Nicolaus was born in Romania, while her mother Antonia was born in Hungary. They met and fell in love and had one daughter, Ecatarina (Kathe/Katica/Katie). Katie could speak five languages including High German, Hungarian, and Romanian. Her beloved mother Antonia died when Katie was only 16. Katie devotedly nursed her mother during a long illness, much as Karen nursed Katie in her last months of life.
As a young girl, Katie learned to play the violin, and as an only child, often spent time with her many cousins. Her father died as a prisoner of Russian soldiers during WWII, but Katie escaped and after much hardship (dressed as a boy travelling alone) found refuge in Northern Germany after the War where she met her beloved Werner at a dance. Her dream was to come to Canada because her father, who spent time here during the Depression, had told her stories of its promise. She convinced her young husband to leave war-torn Germany, her husband’s homeland, and together they set sail for Canada in 1951 hoping for a better life.
Life was very hard at first as they both learned English and adjusted to their new home. Mom had learned hairdressing as a profession in Europe, and her first job in Leamington was with a small salon above a tobacco shop on Erie Street. Werner had worked at Ford’s in Windsor, but when the factory closed, he started work at Heinz in Leamington. Both Katie and Werner worked very hard to support their young family which later gave their girls as young women the opportunity to go to university. Katie and Werner gradually improved their circumstances, moving from a small apartment to a tiny house and later to the suburban home they shared for many happy years. Werner retired first from the factory and then Katie as well from Ascott’s on Talbot Street where she had many devoted customers and dear colleagues like Betty.
The best word to describe Nana is Love, her love for her family: her devoted husband, her children, her Granddaughter and now her Great Grandson Caelan. Nana loved having her family home with her and loved cooking for them. She was a terrific cook and baker, often trying new recipes. She had a large collection of cookbooks, many in German. She also loved to paint and draw, and the family home has several of her oil paintings on display.
She constantly set an example through her great inner strength and willpower. Due to hip surgery when she was 70, the nerve controlling one ankle was cut, and from that time she was forced to use a walker. Despite this hardship and continuous pain, she never lost her sense of humour. She drove clutch even past the age of ninety and through determination and will retook her driving test and succeeded. She also took great pride in her garden and did much of the work outdoors herself.
It is hard to describe how much she will be missed by her close little family and many friends, some living in Germany, like Elsa. The family wishes to thank the people who assisted with Nana’s care, but especially Deborah and Tina. With special thanks to Helga for her kind visit.
She was known and loved by many in the community for her kindness and generosity including the members of Knox Presbyterian Church, which she attended faithfully until unable to do so. She always put others ahead of herself.
Both of our parents assisted with Meals-On-Wheels near the end of Dad’s life. If you wish to make a donation to this worthy charity, we would be deeply grateful.
Written by Ingrid Young on behalf of Nana’s family.
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Tribute from Joan Marzetti (Hurst)
Ingrid,
I was saddened to hear your mum passed away today even though I knew it was inevitable.
I really liked your mum. She always greeted me with her warm smile when I showed up at the door asking for you. Her cheerfulness, sense of humour, and distinctive laugh kept me and everyone around her positive. She was such a great cook and baker too! I always wanted and secretly prayed to be invited to your family’s Sunday afternoon coffee. Did you ever wonder why I showed up at your home mostly on Sundays? Her strudel was Leamington’s best! She impacted my life in a very positive way and enriched my life.
My thoughts are with you Ingrid.
I am sending you many, many hugs of comfort.
Joni (as your mum would always call me).
A Private Family Service was held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020. Memorial donations to Meals on Wheels would be appriciated by the family.
1925 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Kathe
Boehm 1925 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Leamington, Province: Ontario