Annemarie Gertrude Schulmeister

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend, Annemarie Schulmeister (nee Forster). Annemarie passed away with grace and dignity on Friday, June 19, 2020 with her three children by her side at the age of 87 years.

Annemarie was born on August 15, 1932 in Kapfenberg, Austria. While her childhood was marred by living through World War II, she had a loving family, she enjoyed school, and participated in many different sports, especially skiing, which was her passion. Truly ahead of her time, she went on to obtain a business degree, after which she secured an accounting job in a produce factory. It was there that she met her future husband Karl. They decided that post-war Europe was not the place that would give their family opportunity, and so Karl left for Canada with his parents, she joining him a year later, in 1954. They were married in Calgary on June 18, 1954, and had many happy years together, raising their family, loving their grandkids, traveling, and enjoying life together until Karl’s passing in 2004.

Annemarie was an amazing woman, a loving mother and grandmother. She did her best at everything. She was incredibly smart and knew so much about so many things. She was the person that we all went to for advice, as well as comfort, whenever we needed it. Her son-in-law and daughters-in-law will agree that she was the best mother-in-law. Never judging, never interfering, never an unkind word, always there to help. She cherished each of her grandchildren and was so thrilled when her great-granddaughter arrived 2 years ago. She loved every minute that baby sat on her lap and played with her jewelry.

Annemarie was a strong woman. She exercised every day for as long as we can remember, and always took care of the body she was given. It was this strength that got her through five different episodes of cancer, as well as a ruptured brain aneurysm, and the stroke that followed that in 2014. She was an inspiration of healthy living for all of us.

Annemarie moved into Evanston Grand Village, a senior’s supportive living facility, in 2014 following her stroke. There she became a favorite resident, always kind and undemanding to the staff, and making some great friends, especially Pat, Elfriede, and Erna. We know they will miss her.

She is survived by her children, Bernie (Heather) Schulmeister, Lori (Robert) Montanini, and Derek (Susan) Schulmeister, as well as nine grandchildren, Lisa (Patrick) Briscoe, Kristen (Ramin) Sobbi, Mark (Juliann) Montanini, Melanie, Joyce, Anthony, and Terri-Ann (Patrick) Schulmeister, along with their mother Brenda, and Danielle and Matthew Schulmeister, as well as one precious great-granddaughter, Emma Briscoe. Annemarie was preceded in death by her husband Karl, and her parents, Edgar and Karoline Forster, as well as several siblings.

She was an amazing mother, the best, and a devoted and kind grandmother. She would do anything for any of us. We were so lucky to have her as our mother, and our children were blessed to have her as their grandmother. Words cannot describe how much we loved and respected her, and how much we will all miss her, but we are happy that she is now at peace.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care she received in her later years at Evanston Grand Village, and at Agape Hospice in her final days.

A Private Service will be held due to current COVID-19 restrictions