Obituary of Doreen Anne Armbruster (nee Russwurm)

To view the livestreamed service on Wednesday, please CLICK HERE

With broken hearts, and thankfulness to God, we share the news of Mom’s peaceful passing on Friday, November 24, 2023, at the Waterloo Region Hospice, surrounded by our love and the sounds of hymns, following a short battle with cancer that had only been found in early September.

Born July 9, 1938 on her family farm in Carrick Township, to Andrew and Margaretha Russwurm, Mom’s high school award winning typing skills took her to the Waterloo Region to fulfill her dream of being a secretary. It was at one of these jobs where she met the love of her life, our Dad, Del Armbruster, who truly wooed her, and on November 10, 1956 they wed.  Their earthly love continued until their 61^st wedding anniversary when Dad passed (2017).  From this marriage came their greatest joy of all – a loving and close knit family: Derek (lost too soon in January, 2018), Mark (Patti), Lisa (Sean Montgomery) and their cherished grandchildren, Jason and Brett (Emily) Montgomery and Rachel (JC), Sarah (Riley) and Megan Armbruster.  Our family has lost our greatest role model who taught us all to love, laugh, enjoy life and cherish family.

Also remembered by her sister Gertie Zimmerman, sister in-law, Louise Leonard, brother in-law Ross Allemang, many nieces and nephews and a large group of cherished friends met over the years through her golf, church, Red Hats/Divas, Barn Dance Society, Probus, card groups and numerous other communities she was a part of.  Mom was predeceased by her brothers Lorne Russwurm and Lynn (Shirley) Russwurm, as well as her brothers and sisters in-law Norman Glasser, George Zimmerman, Audrey and George Sachs, Edna and Doug Holland and Doris Allemang.

Although Mom had many passions in life, everyone knew her greatest of all was golf – watching it, talking about it, but mostly playing it!  Her love of the game started in the early 70’s where she would golf in Port Elgin with the boys, dragging Lisa around in her baby carriage as they played the course.  Over the years, Mom enjoyed too many games to count, achieved 3 hole in one trophies, and enjoyed sharing her Birdie Juice.  Her love of the game would see her playing right up to September 21st until the effects of cancer robbed her of that joy. 

Mom and Dad enjoyed many years of travelling and then spending winters in Florida.  After Dad passed, Mom enjoyed one final winter in Florida, as well as a trip to Saskatchewan and 2 trips to Cozumel, MX, her last trip to Cozumel being this past winter to visit Lisa and Sean.

Mom’s typing skills continued through her entire life, allowing her to work from home when her children were young, typing theses and term papers for university students which then opened the door to her lifelong career as a Production Coordinator at Wilfrid Laurier University Press.  She was an integral part of this newly formed press and was proud of her career which ran from September 1973 until her retirement in 1998.  After retirement, Mom continued her association with the press, working at home on the final 2 volumes of 16 of the Writings of Florence Nightingale.

Mom’s strong faith was evident in all she did in life, including facing her cancer diagnosis with grace and peace in the knowledge that she was in God’s hands.  She was a lifelong active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waterloo enjoying fellowship and singing in the choir.

Mom wanted us to share her deepest appreciation and love for her niece, Beth Grgurich, and her sister in-law, Louise, for their continued love and support during these past two months as she navigated the life of a cancer diagnosis.  They were with her every step of the way, including up to the moment she was wrapped in the arms of God. 

Our family would also like to extend our greatest appreciation to the nurses and volunteers at the Waterloo Region Hospice for their exceptional care, compassion and genuine concern for Mom during her last week.  They ensured all her needs, as well as ours, were met during this time. 

Friends and family are invited to share their memories of Doreen with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street. S., Waterloo on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.  – 9 p.m.  The funeral service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 78 John St. W., Waterloo on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 11a.m., with Rev. Joel Kuhl officiating. A livestream of the service will be available on Doreen's obituary page at www.erbgood.com  or www.redeemer-church.ca  Reception to follow in the church hall.  Interment to take place at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo, following the reception.

In lieu of flowers, Mom requested donations to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Hospice Waterloo Region. Donations and condolences may be made through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or  www.erbgood.com