Erna Schaefer

On May 19, 2023, our very beloved Erna Schaefer, née Müller, peacefully passed away in her sleep in Vancouver, BC. In her final days, she had a beautiful sendoff from her lifelong friends at the Swiss Choir, and special visits from her family and loved ones.

Erna, 82, was born and raised in Näfels, Switzerland, on September 11, 1941. She lived there with her parents, Joseph and Justina Müller-Müller, her brothers Josef (Pepe) Müller and Fritz Müller, and her sister, Rita Lanch (née Müller).

Erna was blessed with an abundance of talents. She spoke six languages fluently, which served her well in her many decades working for Lufthansa and Swiss Air. From a very young age, Erna took care of family and close ones, including many devoted years spent caring for her nieces and nephews, Beatrice, Kurt, Sylvia, Jane and Peter. She was a second mother to many; and her house was open to all of her friends and family. She always remembered to call, never forgot a birthday, she took the time to visit those whom she loved and was always endlessly thoughtful.

Erna was an adventurer from a young age. At just 18, the intrepid traveler in her led her to leave her childhood home for far-flung Peru, where she studied at Lima Art School for three years. She returned to Switzerland at the age of 21, to work three years in the hotel industry in Zurich, before once again packing her bags for an international move in 1965. This time, she moved to snowy Toronto, Canada, to work in a law firm. Whilst there, she visited many art galleries in the city, often with her young nieces, Jane and Sylvia. During one fateful visit, she struck up a conversation with a charming Dutch-born artist and art teacher, Fred, who was exhibiting his works. It was love at first sight, and they were soon married and remained inseparable for 40 years.

In 1967, Erna - true to form - once again jumped over the pond and returned to Zurich. Fittingly, she started her long career in the aviation sector, with Swissair. Fred soon joined her in her home country, and they set up their warm and loving home in Zurich, where they spent 15 happy years.

Eventually Erna and Fred returned to Canada – where their love story had begun - but this time they settled on the West coast. New shores and a new start in Vancouver: it was there that she joined Lufthansa. Vancouver would become home for the rest of her and Fred’s lives. Fred sadly passed in 2001, and this was an unthinkable loss, but Erna knew one day she would be reunited with her love.

Along with art and travelling, Erna’s other great passion was music. She was a beautiful singer, an enthusiastic member of many choirs, and served as President of the Swiss Choir. She will be remembered for her yodeling and singing her beloved Swiss folk songs.

Erna was also a generous patron of a number of charitable organizations, including the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, The Salvation Army, B.C. Wildlife Federation, SPCA, Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Academy of Music and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Erna’s spirit, wit, dry sense of humour and joie-de-vivre left an indelible print on the hearts of all those who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be greatly missed.

The funeral mass will be held at St. Augustine’s Parish, 2028 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia on June 15 at 10:00 am. All of Erna’s friends are welcome to join the family for the funeral and memorial.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to any of the organization's stated above. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bellburnaby.com for the Schaefer family.