Obituary of Hedwig Bessler

BESSLER, Hedwig (nee Jonke) 1940-2021 Passed away peacefully at home in Brighton, Ontario on Saturday, February 27, 2021 with her family by her side. Beloved wife of 57 years to Adolph. Loving and devoted mother of Linda, and her husband Cameron Mair, and Albert (predeceased). Cherished Oma to Brendan. Sister of Leopold Jonke, Johanna (Lothar Frei), Ingrid Barth, Irma (Anthony Schoonen), Maria (Claude Chenevert), and sister-in-law to Erna Bessler. Predeceased by her parents Leopold and Johanna Jonke. Will be missed by her many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday March 5 from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm. Following the visitation a Mass of Christian Burial will be held from St. John the Evangelist Church at 1:00 pm. Rite of committal, St. John’s cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Hedwig’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society. ‘Hedi’ was born in Gottschee, Slovenia. Her family immigrated to Canada in 1957, settling in Montreal where Hedi worked as a seamstress in a men’s suit factory. Over the years, she would use her talents to create many mother/daughter outfits, ballet recital costumes, and numerous home decor items. She and Adolph met at a German dance in 1962, and married in 1963 when she began the next chapter of her life as a dedicated wife and mother to her family. In 1978 the family relocated to Ajax, Ontario. Here she began her work as the ‘Avon Lady’. Hedi so enjoyed selling Avon, where she would make many new and lifelong friendships. A highlight was her trip to Hawaii, which she earned for all of her hard work. In the early 1980’s, the family purchased land north of Gananoque where they built a cottage. Here they would spend many relaxing weekends and entertained family and friends as this was the ideal ‘halfway’ point between Toronto and Montreal. The cottage remains in the family today. In 1994, Hedi and Adolph moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Over the years they were fortunate to live in Strasbourg, France where Adolph had a three year assignment. This was a wonderful opportunity for both of them to re-connect with their European heritage. Upon Adolph’s retirement they settled in Canadian Lakes, Michigan for awhile, after which the lure of warmer weather brought them to Bluffton, near Hilton Head, South Carolina, which had been a favourite vacation spot for the couple. Here they would live until coming back to Canada to their Brighton, Ontario home in 2020. Hedi was always a warm and welcoming soul. She made many cherished friendships along her many travels. People gravitated to her warm smile and honest disposition. Her passions included cooking, sewing and painting. But it was her family and siblings that she cherished most. Sadly over the years, rheumatoid arthritis took a greater toll on her body although Hedi rarely complained about the pain and discomfort it caused her. She maintained a positive outlook on life which we will always remember and cherish as we keep her in our thoughts always.