Peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Trillium Villa, Renate Gertrude Schechinger passed away at the age of 89.
Renate was born in Germany in 1934. She was a hairstylist for 40 years. Renate immigrated to Canada in 1969, with her 5 children, the oldest at that time was 11 years of age the youngest only 4 months old. This was a 10-day transatlantic trip on the Alexander Pushkin. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Marco_Polo This would reunite them with their father, who was working as a pipefitter/welder in Sarnia’s Chemical Valley. While German was their first and only language, she looked forward to the challenge and adventure of learning and living in Canada and believed there would be better opportunities for her beloved children.
Renate loved life through watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports, achieve successful careers, and start families of their own. She loved music, cooking, dancing, and time spent together. People always described her as sweet, caring, and generous.
Loving mother to Heike (Greg) Houghton, Rainer Schechinger, Birgit (Owen) Quinn, Ralf Schechinger (Connie Ferrera), and Kerstin (James) Taylor.
Cherished grandmother to Jessica (Jeff) Williams, Toni (Justin) Kettle, Amanda Quinn (Luke Joosten), Rylie Mallette (Cole Healy), Tatum Taylor, Mitchel Schechinger, and Sofia Schechinger.
Treasured great grandmother to Mika, Ariel, Cara, Zoey, and Cayden.
Dear sister to Ingrid Kyas and aunt to Ulrich Kyas and Andrea Zajac, and their families in Germany.
Predeceased by her parents Herman and Adelheide Heyna.
Renate’s family would like to express their heartfelt appreciations to the kind and caring staff at Trillium Villa over the past several years and the Alzheimer's Society.
A private family service will be held, followed by an internment at Resurrection Cemetery. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to Alzheimer’s Society or MS Canada (cheques only at the funeral home please). Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home.