It is with a sad heart that we say goodbye to our mother, Emma Elsa Hass who passed away on New Year’s Eve, 2021 at the age of 93. She was still living in her own home until a few months ago! She was predeceased by her husband Herbert. She was born in Furstenfeld, Ukraine on September 20th, 1928.
Emma survived the Soviet repression of ethnic Germans and became a refugee during the second world war. She immigrated to Canada in April 1952 with her husband Herbert. She leaves behind her two sons, Alfred (Nicola) of Victoria and Victor (Darlene) of Kelowna. She was Oma to five grandchildren, Brent (Adrienne), Natasha, Derek (Alyson), Lucas (Claire) and Tyler (Jacqui). She also leaves six great grandchildren, Gracia, Lena, Georgia, Kurtis, James and Norah. Emma was a Founding Member of Good Shepard Lutheran Church and was also a member of the Victoria Edelweiss Club and the Harmonie Choir which she enjoyed for many decades. She enjoyed baking her German cakes and cookies for her family and friends. She also travelled to many countries. Her passion was her love of flowers and vegetable gardening which she passed on to her children and grandchildren alike! Emma was a woman with a kind heart, a strong faith and a wonderful smile. She was loved by many and will be missed dearly by her family. May she Rest in Peace.
A Celebration of Life will take place in the spring.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Linda & Phil Pyett
-
Angelika Morris How I will remember Emma:
Emma truly was a kind person who could put a smile on your face. I especially remember one German song festival year, 2015, when my husband and I gave Emma a ride back to Victoria. It was a beautiful sunny June day while we waited to board at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. It was also very windy, and I remember giving Emma a scarf to wear as the wind blew around us while my husband took photos of us.That song festival was also memorable for other reasons: the dashing young “Candy Dart” bus driver who dressed in formal wear to take us to all our song festival destinations. As the name of his bus company implied, he also supplied us with candy each trip, not to mention the colourful strobe lights for us to find his bus in the parking lot after the concert. These were happy memories that make me think of your mom.
At Christmastime this year, I spoke to Darlene on the telephone and was hopeful that your mom would be able to attend our choir concert. It included favourite German Christmas carols that your mom would have known very well, having sung them in the choir for many years, and maybe with you as children. Although she was not well enough to attend that day, we spoke of her fondly in conversation with one another. Your mom will be missed by those in the German-Canadian community, especially by long-time friends who sang with her for years in the Victoria Harmony Choir. It is with heartfelt sympathy we send our condolences to the whole family. Keep smiling dear Emma.
-
Barry Arnsdorf Alfred and Victor, I am very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I have many pleasant memories when Frieda and I would visit your mother and father – Herb always working on some project and the aromas from the kitchen would entice me there. It was always an opportunity to enjoy some apfel kuchen or some other freshly baked goodie. The passing of one’s mother is a difficult time. I hope that your memories give you comfort.
-
Ursula Leslie Dear Emma,
I only knew you as a fellow member of Good Shepherd Church, and I came to that church decades after you had co-founded it and supported it in lots of ways that I don’t even know. But I was the treasurer when the church was in financial trouble a few years ago, and I won’t forget your big donation when we really needed the money.
You were a calm and very friendly presence at the church. I hope that you are at peace now, and I am glad that I visited you at least once at Craigdarroch Care Home.
Alfred and Family
&
Victor and Family
Your Mom created so many beautiful memories;
a life that we can truly celebrate even as we grieve. You have my heart’s deepest sympathies.”
From your cousin Linda Pyett(your Aunt Lilly’s daughter) & Family