April 2, 2020
Maria Kemle (nee Egger), beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, passed peacefully at home on April 2, 2020 at the age of 98, surrounded by loved ones.
Maria, known as Mom, Grandma,or Oma to her large family, is survived by her four children: Margit Hess, Herbert Hess (Beverly), Elisabeth Chrusch (Gordon), and Helen Kassian (Allan); her eight grandchildren: Shannon Crockett (Robert), Jonathan Chrusch (Leslie Wallingford), Jamie Furtner, Melanie Kassian, Colleen Kassian, Scott Hess, William Kassian, and Nadine MacDonald (Euan Ward); and her beloved great- and great- great-grandchildren: Melissa Wallingford (Tyler Amaral), Deannah Kaiser, Quinn Crockett, Tiberia Crockett, Declan Kassian, Kasmira Kassian, Skyler Wallingford, and Talia Amaral. She was predeceased by both of her husbands, John Hess and John Kemle; her brother and sister, Hansel Egger and Elfriede Prevedel; and her parents, Johann and Agnes Egger.
Maria was born on June 9, 1921 in Austria. She married John Hess in 1941; after John Hess passed away in 1949, she met John Kemle and married him in 1952. In 1955, Maria immigrated to Canada with her husband and their three children (Margit, Herb, and Elisabeth). Their fourth child, Helen, was born in Canada. Maria and John Kemle owned and operated a farm in Abbotsford, BC until they moved to Castlegar, BC in 1975.
Maria was a devoted homemaker who never wanted to see anyone go hungry. She enjoyed cooking in her home, a place where anyone was welcome. She volunteered with the Castlegar United Church and St. David's Thrift Store in Castlegar, BC. She enjoyed gardening, and could often be found tending her rose bushes in her front yard, or her large garden in her backyard. Maria was a spiritual woman, who faithfully attended church until her stroke in 2015, after which she still attended when able.
The family would like to thank Dr. Vasil and all of the Home Support and Palliative Care nurses and caregivers for being incredibly and increasingly supportive while Maria lived with Elisabeth and Gordon Chrusch.
Maria will be profoundly missed by her friends and family in the community. There will be a memorial service later in the year, after which Maria will be interred at Kinnaird Park Memorial Cemetery.
Details about the service can be obtained by emailing mariakemlememorial@outlook.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Maria's name to either the Castlegar Food Bank or your local food bank.