On April 10th, 2024, at 86 years old, our dear Maria passed peacefully in the warm embrace of her children and grandchildren. We find comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with the love of her life, Johann (Johnny) Schwarz, who was called to the Lord in 2002.
She was preceded in death by her parents Katharina and Johannes, and brothers Anton (Cacilia), Peter (Hilde), and Alois (Marianne). In-laws Lorenz and Gisela, sister-in-laws Regina (Pete) and Brigitta.
A mother, oma, omie, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. She is survived by her two children Monica (Chris) and Anthony, her daughter-in-law Krista, grandchildren Andrea (Matthew), Lindsay (David) and Katie, great-grandchildren Johnny, Veronica, Lucy, Zoey, and Jett. Her dear brother Mathias, brother and sister-in-laws Joseph (Pauline), Katharina (Donald), Wilhelm (Theresa), Vinzenz (Louise), and Maria. Lifelong friend Erika Soehn, and many nieces and nephews.
Maria was born on December 6th, 1937, in Karamurat, Romania, as one of seven children. Sadly, her infant brother and sister passed and Maria grew up as the youngest and only daughter of five.
In 1939, her family fled home to seek refuge and lived in camps across Austria and Czechoslovakia until arriving in Würzburg, Germany, in 1946. She had fond memories of being reunited with her relatives and finding joy in life after the war. After finishing grade school, Maria would go on to help support her family; she shared stories about her time in farmers’ fields, working for a movie star and living as a maid in a castle.
When she was 16 years old, Maria came to Canada with her youngest brother and parents, eventually settling in Richmond, BC. On her first night out with friends, she met her soulmate at the Vancouver Alpen Club— a musician playing in the band. As she tells it, “Johnny was always allowed one dance a night, and I was amongst the others there, and he came to ask me to dance and that was it.”
Maria and John were married on May 11, 1957, and built a charming life together filled with music and dancing—forever their house would swell with laughter. Maria would spend her younger years travelling around BC with the Johnny Schwarz Band and dancing with her friends at the Vancouver Alpen Club. Her children’s memories are brimmed with parties in their ‘la la room’, late night coffee milkshakes, and running across the field for hot lunches. Family trips to Pender Island, Alpen Club Picnics, making schnitzel in the kitchen, and old Romanian recipes.
Her shoulder was always warm and comfy, donned with her special scent of 4711 Eau De Cologne.
She was our rock.
Her family and friends would call her every day to talk about life, reminisce, and discuss the latest on The Young and the Restless.
Oma eventually became her favourite title. “It absolutely made my life,” she said. We would sleepover and wake up to her flipping crepes in the kitchen and making ‘eggs and soldiers’. Dress up in her silk nightgowns, sing along to The Sound of Music in the living room, play card games and watch The Price is Right. Her home was our home— she was our home.
Maria continued her legacy as the world’s greatest Oma with her five great grandchildren. Our beautiful Omie spent her days rocking our babies to sleep, folding tiny socks, and doing crafts at the big table. We loved to show up with snacks and dump toys all over her apartment, she even mastered texting so we could bombard her with videos and photos. Anything to bring a smile to her face and return the love she so graciously gave to us.
Ich liebe dich, Maria.
You will forever be our queen.
Maria’s family would like to extend its infinite gratitude to Dr. David Chapman (family doctor), Dr. Charles Constantine (nephrologist), Sue Bal (patient care coordinator), the staff at Surrey’s PD clinic, and Kavita Joshi (Nurse Next Door).
A service will be held on Saturday, May 11th 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church: 20676 Fraser Hwy, Langley BC.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Maria’s name to The Kidney Foundation of Canada.
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