Obituary of Elaine Widmeyer

WIDMEYER, Elaine Hilda

With much sadness, the family of Elaine Widmeyer (nee Voelzing) announce that she passed away peacefully on Saturday November 19^th at University Gates in Waterloo.

Elaine was completely devoted to her family: her beloved husband, Earl of 60 years until he passed in May 2019, and their children, Sarah (Kevin) and Joel (Melanie). 

She will be missed terribly by her grandchildren, Kathryn, Alexandra, Henry, and Lauren, whom she was equally devoted to, and incredibly proud of their many accomplishments.

Elaine was the only child of Ezra and Lorene Voelzing (nee Pfeffer).

Like our father, Elaine’s essential role in life was that of a teacher. She taught primary grades in Galt and Kitchener for 8 years between 1958 and 1966 and carried on with her unofficial teaching duties for both Sarah and Joel, and later, her grandchildren. Phonics, spelling, grammar, reading and writing, with some mathematical tables thrown in for good measure.  Her kitchen was her classroom, and she was completely dedicated to her students. Beyond these traditional subjects, our mom taught us the importance of family, of parenting, of faith, of silly infectious laughter, and endless love.

Elaine was a former member of the Christian Women’s Club, the Kitchener Waterloo Garden Club, and an active member, Sunday school teacher and chorist of the Trillium Lutheran Church (St. John’s Lutheran Church). She loved spending summers at the family cottage, that Ezra built outside of Hanover, Ontario. She relished yearly family pilgrimages to Myrtle Beach, spending carefree days swimming in the ocean adorned with her pink bathing cap. Her strawberry pie, made for her bridge club, was legendary, as were all the family comfort meals she made – especially the salmon patties.

Elaine’s family wish to thank the wonderful and caring staff of University Gates – especially Emma’s neighbourhood, where she spent her last, too short months. The beautiful, loving attentiveness of the staff was incredible to witness. Elaine was truly surrounded by love in her final days.  We also wish to thank Andy and her amazing team of angels at Her Helping Hand, who provided invaluable support, friendship, comfort and love to our mom over the past couple of years and up until her final few hours.

A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday November 30^th. Visitation with the family will be held from 12noon – 12:45pm, followed by a service at 1pm, and reception at 2pm.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to the Women’s Brain Health Initiative – a charitable organization dedicated to preserving women’s brain health through science and education about aging, dementia and research equity – by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519.745.8445.