Obituary of Annemarie Margarete Vinke

Annemarie Margarete Vinke 

(nee Gedies)

1930 – 2024

Annemarie Margarete Vinke (nee Gedies) passed away peacefully on March 13, 2024, at the age of 93. She was much loved and will be deeply missed by Hans-Dieter (Dieter) Vinke, her husband of almost 65 years, son Michael (Lesley), daughter Karen (Stephen), and grandchildren Ben, Eric and Matthew. She is also survived by four of her siblings, Gisela, Adam, Ingrid and Gerhard.

Annemarie is pre-deceased by her dear sister Waltraut (2022) and brother-in-law Gunter (1989), her brother Hermann (2013) and sister-in-law Uschi (2020), sister-in-law Beryl (2022), and brother-in-law Peter (2005) and nephew Scott (1993).

Annemarie was born in Falkenburg, Germany, on December 15, 1930, to Waldemar and Johanna Gedies (nee Abeling). As the eldest of seven, she was her mother’s right hand. She had to grow up quickly during the years of World War II and its aftermath, including more than two years in a refugee camp.

Fondly nicknamed the “Chief” by her younger siblings, Annemarie and her brother, Hermann, immigrated to Canada in 1954. She worked tirelessly to help the rest of her family, including her parents, join them in Scarborough, Ontario. In 1957, Annemarie made the down payment for a one-acre property near Haliburton, where the Gedies clan and their spouses eventually built four cottages. The property continues to serve as a gathering space for multiple generations.

Annemarie was a working mom and proud of her last position as bilingual executive assistant to a world-renowned German architect. She recharged her batteries through daily yoga, reading fiction, sewing, swims at the cottage, walks with Dieter, outsmarting her kids (and grandkids) at card games and joining in the chatter and laughter during regular “Kaffeeklatsch” gatherings with the extended family. In 1998, she and Dieter moved to Bowmanville to be closer to their grandchildren.

Annemarie loved unconditionally. She always saw the best in people, even when it meant having to look hard. She was the calm at the centre of any storm and her glass was always (more than) half full. Her leadership was quiet yet fearless, and the members of her family will continue to do our best to follow her example.

A memorial service will be held on April 18 at 2:30 pm at NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME, 53 Division Street North Bowmanville, Ontario. The service will be streamed live for those unable to attend in person, CLICK ME FOR LIVESTREAM. A Kaffeeklatsch reception will follow at Bowmanville Creek Retirement Community (105 Queen Street).

In lieu of flowers, Annemarie would have appreciated your donation to the Canadian Red Cross, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, or your favourite charity.