Obituary of Maria Guggenmoos
September 4, 1925 -- Nov 16, 2023
We lost our mother, grandmother and great grandmother twice due to Alzheimer’s. Over the years it attacked her memory and her ability to communicate. On Thursday it claimed her body.
Maya was the beloved wife of Engelbert (2016) for 67 years. Left to grieve and miss her are her children, Siegfried (Katharine Weinmann), Erika (Arden) Phair, Imelda (Steve) Malanczuk and Bert Jr. Also missed by daughter-in-law Diane Guggenmoos. Cherished Oma of Graham Phair, Brian (Shanna) Phair, Kristen Gravestock (Derek Johnson), Naomi (Mike) Kerluke, Aaron Guggenmoos (Jessica Brennan), Justin Guggenmoos and Jared Guggenmoos. Maya will miss watching her great grandchildren grow: Dylann Phair, Brooklyn and Ashton Johnson, Kayden and Wyatt Kerluke and Rylan Guggenmoos. She is survived by relatives in Germany including her sister-in-law, Resi Bernhart and some nieces and nephews. Predeceased by sons Werner (1994) and Fred (1987) and siblings Xaver (1942), Anna (2011) and Josef (1969).
Bert and Maya immigrated to Canada in 1957 and settled in Port Dalhousie where they lived until declining health forced them to move. According to tradition and with six children to raise, Maya was a homemaker. She mastered the art of cooking filling meals on a budget. There were always baked goods to be found in the fridge and she was a knitter extraordinaire. Shortly after Bert’s retirement, trips to visit family in Germany became more frequent as did trips to a warmer climate in the winters.
A special thank you goes out to the staff at Woodlands of Sunset for always treating Maya with kindness, respect and patience.
Friends and family will be welcomed at George Darte Funeral Chapel, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm on Wednesday, November 22. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Star of the Sea, 34 Elgin St. in Port Dalhousie at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 23 followed by interment at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens, 2250 Regional Road 20, Fonthill. If so desired, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation in honour of Maya would be appreciated.