Obituary of Cleo Marie O'Malley

We lost and incredible person here on earth, but she will be Heaven’s reward!  Cleo Marie O'Malley (nee Ditner) age 81 passed at 3:03am on Monday July 11, 2022...making her way to Heaven to be eternally with her loved ones; especially her son Shawn.  Cleo passed fighting an aggressive chest infection over the last couple weeks while being cared for at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario.

Beloved husband Frank from Teeswater for more than 61 years.  Loving Mother of Shawn (1990) and Kyle (Chris of Ann Arbor, Michigan). Much loved grandmother of Chris and Kyle's children Shawn, MacKenzie, Keltie and Brady along with her best buddy Bailey.  Sister of Shirley Kopp (nee Ditner) and Seigi of Kitchener, predeceased sister of Don Ditner (Mildmay), Stan Ditner (Mildmay) and by her parents Paul and Mae Ditner (nee Schill) of Mildmay.  Sister in law of Ruth Ditner and Elanor Ditner of Walkerton, Geraldine (nee O'Malley) and Bob Elliott, Jimmy O'Malley, Linda Parker (nee O'Malley) and Jim (2016) all of Kitchener-Waterloo, Marian Ohm (nee O'Malley) and Dave of Wallaceburg and Bernadine Hamacher (nee O'Malley) and Brad of Tillsonburg.  Loving Aunt of Cindy Ditner, Doug Ditner (Kathy 2022), Donna Ruetz (nee Ditner) and Brian, Darlene Thompson (nee Ditner) and Doug, Glen Ditner and Jana, Dave Ditner and Theresa, Laurie Reinhart (nee Ditner) and Pat, Mellissa Valant (nee Elliott) and Derek, Michael Elliott and Michelle, Kane Kraft, Chris Kraft, Jesse Kraft and Patti, Scottie Kraft and Bernadette, Justin Ohm, and Nick Hamacher.  Cleo was a Great Aunt to twenty one nieces, nephews and their families.

Cleo and her best friend Frank were inseparable.  Frank remained at her side every day during this battle and his courage and support of her brings true meaning until death do us part.  Until retirement, Cleo spent 56+ years as a hair dresser at Beauty Unlimited & Forest Hill Hairstyling in Forest Hill Plaza, making a short walk to work from their forever home on Birchcliff Avenue. Many of her customers remained with her for those 56 years, a testament to her craft but more a confirmation that she touched so many people with her smile, compassion, and interest in the lives of the people and their families that she so loved.  A master and legend in the kitchen, not many could cook up a feast with all the fixings like Cleo could.  Culinarily trained by her Mom on the farm, she was a professional canner, jam maker, pastry chef, baker, bread maker, potato masher and all things food and fun for everyone to enjoy. She loved to host pool parties, holiday gatherings and neighborhood drop ins for family and friends to enjoy.  Her and Frank have been members of St. Francis Parish for most of their married life.  Their faith was the foundation of their relationship and family, and that faith remains stronger than ever today.

Special thanks to the Doctors (especially Dr. Kerry Clare Lake and Dr. Martin Strban), Sean Winter NP and the numerous nurses on the 6th Floor at St. Mary's Hospital for the compassionate care and empathy they exhibited 24/7 while Cleo was under their care.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday, July 15^th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  A celebration of Cleo’s life and the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis RC Church, 49 Blueridge Ave, Kitchener on Saturday July 16^th at 12:00 pm. A reception will follow immediately in the St. Francis Parish Hall.  Cremation will take place after and a private family interment will be held at a later date to place her remains beside Shawn's final resting place.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cleo's name to St. Mary' Hospital c/o The Chest Unit 6th Floor or to a charity of your choice and can be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.

We thank everyone for all the prayers and support during Mom's fight to survive, she will be dearly missed by so many…butter tarts, muffins and Grandma's jam for all in Heaven, they will be lining up for a taste.