Obituary of Rita Elfriede Schirm

After a life well lived and on her own terms, on October 7, 2024, Rita, (Mom, Oma), two weeks shy of her 90th birthday, has embarked on her final adventure.

Born and raised in Bremen, Germany, Rita immigrated to Canada in 1956 to join Karl Schirm, the love of her life. After a short time in Brantford, they settled in Waterloo, where she became the business manager of AV Electronics, co-owned by Karl and close friend Raul Selberg. Within a few years of living in Canada, she learned English, obtained her driver’s license and established a circle of close friends that remain with her to this day. From Hope Eaton she learned to play bridge, a card game over which she and her friends would not only exchange bids and compete for tricks, but also talk about their lives. Despite her formal education being cut short by the war, Rita had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. She spent much of her retirement attending lecture series and devouring books on all sorts of topics. Lover of music, opera, and ballet, she was a regular supporter of the KW Symphony. She passed on her love of music to the rest of her family, and was always in the audience for her son’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s concerts. She travelled the world with friends, especially Shirley Bourque. And Rita loved to dance; she scuffed many a dance floor with her Ginger Rogers-inspired moves.

Rita and Karl were members of “The BookClub” and because it comprised some of their closest friends, was much more than a book club. She was a dedicated and loyal friend; anyone lucky enough to make her acquaintance was forever welcome in her circle. However, Rita’s pride and joy was her family, whom she loved unconditionally: Her husband Karl who predeceased her in 2003, her son Ronald (Johanne), grandchildren Geneviève, aka “Schatz” (Marc), Maximilien (Jenna), Sammy (Marco) and her six great-grandchildren, Olivier, Gabrielle, Étienne, Alexandre, Xavier and Quinton.

Predeceased by her parents Margarete Schirm (Willy), Conrad Mielke (Heidi), her brother-in-law Karl Zander and her nephew Uwe Zander. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Ilse Zander, Uwe’s wife Beate, grand niece Ramona (Matthäus) and their children, all of Germany.

The family will hold a private burial. Please join the Schirm family in the Schenke at the Concordia Club, 429 Ottawa St. S, Kitchener, on December 21, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., to celebrate Rita’s life.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Jo-Anne Goyder Scholarship via Suzuki Talent Education of Waterloo, in support of music education for less privileged children or to the charity of one’s choice would be appreciated and may be arranged through Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, at www.erbgood.com.