Anna Maria Deifel

Anna Maria (a.k.a. Annemarie) Deifel, 88, of Mississauga, passed away peacefully after a short illness on August 17th after a long and fulfilling life.

Annemarie, the older of two children, lived a happy and productive life. Annemarie and Fred were married on December 4, 1954. They had two children, Hardy and June.

At the beginning of their marriage, life was very difficult for Annemarie and Fred for several years. While Fred worked hard and eventually started his own business, Annemarie raised Hardy and June and at the same time, was landlord of the apartment building where they lived, looked after other young children, in addition to Hardy and June and went to clean office buildings in the evening. All this while cooking and cleaning and building a home life for her new family.

After a few moves and a lot of hard work, Annemarie and Fred finally moved to Sir Richard’s Road in Mississauga, where they lived for almost 50 years. Annemarie worked tirelessly and took great pride in making her home inviting. She maintained a beautiful home and tended daily to several beautiful gardens, which were her passion. 

Annemarie was an incredible cook. She made many traditional German dishes which were difficult and time-consuming and made wonderful German desserts, everything from Bundt to Black Forest cakes, as well as homemade jams and preserves. 

Annemarie joined Fred on his many business trips and they also took many pleasure trips together and travelled the world. 

Annemarie was very active. She made many friendships over the years and often entertained. Each year she hosted an annual winter party as well as a summer pool party which her guests thoroughly enjoyed.

Annemarie was dedicated to being a good wife and mother. She was an expert sewer and loved knitting and crocheting. She loved historical novels, the Lawrence Welk show, and classical music and had yearly subscriptions to the Toronto Symphony. She swam in their pool every day during the summer. Her feline companions over the years were very dear to her.

She loved being with her family and especially getting to know and spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they grew up. Almost every year for several years, relatives from Germany came to stay with the Deifel’s and Mom was the perfect hostess.

Annemarie embodied the best of qualities: a great passion for life, strength of spirit and great love of family.

Annemarie spent the last 2 years of her life at Amica City Centre and really enjoyed meeting and getting to know new friends, sharing meals and great conversation with them.

Annemarie was predeceased by her husband, Alfred Deifel. She is survived by her sister, Renate Neubrand, daughter, June Deifel, son, Hardy Deifel, daughter-in-law, Paulene Deifel, grandchildren Manuela Deifel and Natalie (Ryan) Emilio, great-grandchildren Reese and Madison Emilio. 

A funeral followed by a reception will be held at St. John’s Dixie Cemetery and Crematorium at 737 Dundas Street East from 1:00 to 4:00 on Tuesday, August 27. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Please RSVP by noon this Wednesday, August 21 to June Deifel at june.deifel8@gmail.com or call or text (647) 767-3662.