December 28, 1920 – March 23, 2022
The family of Margaretha (nee Barth) announce her peaceful passing at Hospice Wellington in her 102nd year. Margaret was born in the small town of Mettersdorf in the province of Transylvania, Romania. As a young girl she grew up in a loving family steeped in traditions closely related to the land and church life. She married and had her first child also named Margaretha in 1941.
Transylvanian Saxons were very much affected by the Soviet invasion of Romania in 1944 and with only a few hours’ notice, the entire town was uprooted to flee the invading Soviet army. After an arduous trek into Poland the Barth family eventually made their way to Austria as refugees and settled in the Salzburg area.
Margaret made the decision to immigrate to Canada and begin a new life with her then 10-year-old daughter. They arrived in Halifax aboard the MS Fairsea in November 1951. She spent some time living and working on her Aunt and Uncle’s tobacco farm in Aylmer, Ontario where she met her future husband Josef Weiss. Margaret and Josef chose to settle in Guelph, Ontario where they added two more daughters to the family.
Margaret worked at Textile Industries Ltd. and then at the University of Guelph where she was affectionately known as “Mom” to the student residents at Johnson Hall. Upon retirement and after the death of her husband Josef in 1988, Margaret moved to Lutheridge beside the new St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She was a devoted church member her entire life and an enthusiastic participant in church activities. She especially enjoyed the Euchre and Quilting clubs. Margaret was well known for her skills in gardening, crocheting exquisite table linens and Christmas ornaments, beautiful crewel work, quilting, and knitting hats for newborn infants.
In 2014, Margaret moved to Chartwell Wellington Park Retirement Residence. She made many friends and continued to enjoy activities such as crafts, playing cards, dominoes and bingo. She was an avid reader and loved to watch curling. Margaret never learned to drive and walked everywhere. She attributed her longevity to daily walks and the occasional brandy.
She is predeceased by her parents (Johann and Sofia Barth), her siblings (Johann, Sofia and Katharina), her husband (Josef), and her daughter and son-in-law (Margaret and Stewart Kreller). She is lovingly missed by her daughters Lynn Ronconi (Diego), Sofia Indoe (Les), Grandchildren Carrie Rath (Wayne), Stewart Kreller Jr., Rob Ronconi (Sarah), Michael Ronconi (Keesha), Becky Kelly (Kyle), Great Grandchildren Sarah (Robert), Mitchell, Carson, Kelsey, Adriana, Madden, Miko, Callen and by many nieces/nephews in Austria, the U.S.A. and the Philippines.
Many thanks to the staff and residents of Chartwell Wellington for their kindness, care and devotion to our mother and to the amazing staff at Hospice Wellington. We cannot think of a better place to have spent her last few days.
As per Margaret’s instructions cremation has taken place. A family memorial and internment will occur at a future date. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice Wellington.
A tree will be planted in memory of Margaretha (Margaret) Weiss in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.