Obituary of Waltraud Helene Ingeborg Thomas-Fairey
Waltraud Helene Ingeborg Thomas-Fairey (nee Kaczmarek) passed away Thursday morning, December 3rd, 2020, in Waterloo. Val, as she was known by her many friends was a loving and devoted wife, mother, Omi, and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of fifteen years, Brian M. Fairey and his son Richard and wife, Karen. Val is also survived by her daughter Gisèle-Christine Thomas, Ottawa, ON; and her son Steven Dennis Thomas and wife, Alexandra, Rochester, NY. Omi, as she was affectionately known by her two granddaughters, Rebecca, and her husband Andrew Sherman, Moncton, NB with their daughter Norah Lillian; and Jacqueline and her husband James Pennie, Fergus, Ontario.
Val was born in Hannover, Germany on September 5th, 1935 to Siegfried and Ella Kaczmarek (nee Stahl). She lived life filled with a sense of joy and a passion for adventure and lifelong learning. Val's approach to life was greatly influenced by her participation, throughout her teenage years, in the post war German youth movement whose values were to live in harmony with nature and people from every walk of life. For example, Val had fond memories of summers hiking and camping in the Alps with other young people from around the World. Val made being a hippie cool before there were hippies. At the age of twenty-two, Val immigrated to Toronto, Canada.
She valued family and friends and that was reflected in her efforts to stay in touch, and the time she spent and the activities she did with them; from baking cookies to riding roller coasters with her grandchildren. Some of the gifts she shared and gave to others … a desire to travel and take risks, a sense of caring and community service, such as being a Brownie and Guide leader, a love of gardening, performing arts, a love of the outdoors, particularly sailing or simply said a love of life and a silver lining attitude.
Perhaps Val’s greatest journey began only after moving to Waterloo, where she fell in love and married her beloved Brian, who brought her much joy and happiness. Val and Brian spent many years travelling the world to places such as Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Parks USA. Her/their favorite being the black Sea Cruise and laughing and simply enjoying life and being together. She will be greatly missed and remembered for the gift of sharing her life with all of us.
Arrangements entrusted to the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.
