Margaret (Maier) Saremba

Margaret (Margarethe) Saremba of Parkville, BC, passed away after a brief illness on September 4, 2020. At the time of her passing, her son Tony was by her side, and her daughter Eva and son John were nearby in respect of the COVID-19 health requirements.

Our Mother was born to the late Karl Theodor and Augusta Maier (nee Beckert) in Brandenberg-Todtnau, Germany. As a young woman, Margaret completed an apprenticeship and received a diploma as a professional seamstress. Throughout her life, she designed and created a wonderful selection of outfits for her family, friends and clients.

Margaret was a very loving, gracious, and kind woman, who embraced life and truly loved her family. After her retirement, one of Mom’s favorite pastimes was to spend time with her grandchildren. She took great pleasure in being a grandmother and friend to them. She also enjoyed artist pursuits including painting watercolors, many of which were hung in her apartment at Huswick Place.

In 1952, Mom married Anton Saremba, oldest son of Johann and Augusta Saremba from the Lottstetten-Nack region of Germany. Margaret and Anton lived in Germany for four years before immigrating to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1956 with their son, John and daughter, Eva. Their youngest son, Anthony (Tony) was born several years after their arrival in Winnipeg.

After deciding to leave Winnipeg, the family moved to British Columbia where they lived in a variety of communities, including Kaslo, Sparwood, Castlegar, Blueberry, and Duncan. Upon their retirement, Anton and Margaret then settled in French Creek Village, near Parksville.

After 52 years of marriage, Margaret was predeceased by her loving husband Anton in 2004. Following his passing, Margaret then lived in several local assisted living homes, including the Gardens at Qualicum Beach and Huswick Place.

Margaret is survived by her three children and their spouses; Tony and Eileen Saremba of Parksville; Eva and Paul Weber of Nanaimo; and, John and Christina Saremba of Port Coquitlam. Margaret also leaves behind her five wonderful grandchildren: Kimberley and Danielle Weber; and, Brett, Mitchell, and Callum Saremba. In addition, Margaret also has a niece, Gabriela (Gabi) Cartwright, who with her husband Lyle and their family, live in Lantzville, BC.

The rest of Margaret’s close relatives live in the Brandenberg-Todtnau and Lottstetten-Nack region of Germany. Over the years, Margaret made several trips back to visit her relatives and childhood friends in Germany. As well, she and Anton often had the pleasure of hosting some of their German relatives when they visited Vancouver Island.

We extend our sincere thanks to the doctor, nurses and other staff who looked after Margaret during her stay at the Stanford Seniors Village in Parksville. Their passionate and excellent care made Margaret’s final year quite comfortable. And special appreciation is offered to these staff in their efforts to provide care and comfort when Mom required palliative care in the last weeks of her life. Moreover, these staff made it possible for Margaret’s three children to spend time with her on an individual basis prior to her passing. We will be eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to make sure that our Mother was never alone in the several days leading up to her passing.

Our family asks that in lieu of sending flowers, people consider making donations in memory of Margaret to the Critter Care Wildlife Society (website address: https://www.crittercarewildlife.org/donate) or the Society of Organized Services – 4. Seniors Fund (website address: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/16704).