Judith (Jude) Maureen Kroetsch
(nee Atherton)
1938-2022
Following a diagnosis of COVID-19, Judith (Jude) Maureen Kroetsch (nee Atherton) passed away peacefully in the care of St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Guelph, Ontario, where she has been a resident for the past three years. She leaves to mourn her three children: James Timothy Kroetsch (Sheri) of Guelph; Marti Pehar of Mississauga; and Jacquelynn Kroetsch of Toronto. She will also be sadly missed by her 5 grandchildren Caitlin and Ethan Kroetsch, as well as John, Matthew and Emily Pehar.
Jude was predeceased by her loving husband of over 50 years, John (Jack) Francis, who passed in October 2012. After marrying in 1960, the couple settled in Kitchener where they raised their family, eventually moving to the neighboring community of New Hamburg in their retirement.
Jude was born in Kitchener in 1938, the only child of the late Joseph Norman and Mary Margaret (Riordan) Atherton. After graduating from high school, education became her chosen profession and she spent the next 40 years teaching school, primarily kindergarten, in Kitchener where she would have been an important influence in the early education and development of well over a thousand young people.
Jude was a devout Roman Catholic and her religious beliefs played an important role in her daily life, providing much comfort and support. She regularly attended mass at her local parish church, the last being Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in New Hamburg.
In her retirement years, Jude enjoyed holidays such as Christmas in which her children and grandchildren would gather, especially at Jim and Sheri’s in Guelph, to enjoy a meal, catch up, and to just spend time together as a family. Jude always ensured that there were gifts for everyone, and the memories of these special times will be with her family for years to come.
Sisters Marti and Jacquelynn want to particularly thank their brother Jim and sister-in-law Sheri for their devoted care and support of both mom and dad in their retirement years. We would also like to thank the long-term care staff at St. Joseph’s for their compassion and support.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron Street, New Hamburg, on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 from 11:00a. -12:30pm with the Funeral Mass to follow at Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish, New Hamburg 1:00pm. Father Robert Love celebtant. Interment to take place in Woodland Cemetery, where Jude will be reunited with her beloved Jack.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Carmelites (St. Agatha) or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated and can be completed on the funeral home website.
Personal condolences and donation information available at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Judith Maureen Jude KROETSCH Atherton 2022..
Death notice for the town of: New Hamburg, Province: Ontario
Condolences to everyone, I met you about 12 x at family gathering
Rip Mrs Kroetsch