Obituary of Doretta Fritz

To view the livestream of Doretta's Funeral Mass, please click here.

January 13, 1925 – April 1, 2021

Peacefully on Thursday April 1, 2021, Mom slipped into the wings of angels and went on her final journey home.

Reunited with her beloved husband Bob of 69 years (2016).  Together Doretta and Bob built their family home on Erb Street in Waterloo where they proudly raised eight children: Maureen Logel (Gene), Tom Fritz (Bette), Patricia Usher (John), Eric Fritz (Marda), Wayne Fritz, Margaret Fritz-Lake (Ed), Eileen Polson (Glen) and Janet Seebach (Charles).  She will be lovingly remembered by her twelve grandchildren and together we will share her life stories with her twelve great grandchildren.

Doretta was the youngest child of Patrick and Eva Taggart and was predeceased by her six siblings. In her family she acquired her strong faith and celebrated her Irish Heritage. Mom graduated with pride from St. Mary’s High School in Kitchener and maintained friendships with her fellow graduates for the rest of her life. 

 Doretta was a founding parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and received her 60-year CWL pin. Mom lived a life of Christian faith and instilled in her children many values including the importance of family, caring for each other, and understanding of those in need and being gracious to all.

As a homemaker Doretta raised 8 children with the frugality of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. She preserved food from the garden and baked treats for lunches and dinners. Her grandchildren are now reproducing her butter tarts, pie, and brownie recipes, trying to get it exactly right. Her children are still working on the potato salad recipe. She was famous for the lamb shaped cakes that she made for her children and their classmates on their first communions. This family tradition continues. Mom was a perfectionist, setting high standards for herself, her talents… and future in-laws.

Mom learned to quilt and knit from her mom and mother-in-law. The quilting turned into a loving family tradition as she made handstitched quilts for each child on their marriage and each grandchild on their birth. She challenged herself with unique Arran knit afghans for all her children and then for each grandchild for their 21st birthday. She shared the products of these talents with the CWL and Birth Right.

Mom endeared herself outside of the family. People remember her kindness, her sharing, and her willingness to help.  She was always a lady.

The family would like to thank The Westhill Retirement Residence, The Cook Family Residence (Hospice), Dr. Gajewski and the Palliative care team for their kindness to Mom and her family.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, to attend the visitation and/or Mass for Doretta, personal face coverings are required, and relatives and friends must register (RSVP) by calling the funeral home at 519-745-8445. Friends are invited to share their memories of Doretta with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Monday, April 5 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Doretta’s life and faith will be held on Tuesday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, 173 Lourdes St., Waterloo with Father Rafal Tomon officiating. Interment will follow at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo.

In Mom’s memory, donations can be made to Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church or the Hospice of Waterloo Region and can be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.