Liselotte "Lilo" VON KETELHODT

VON KETELHODT, Liselotte "Lilo": April 27, 1922 - February 11, 2024. Born as Liselotte Müller on April 27, 1922, in Gumbinnen, Germany to Erich Muller and Hertha Muller (nee Hein), she grew up in East Prussia along with her brother Siegfried. Lilo attended schools in Elbing (today Elbag) and Szczecin as her father's military postings shifted. In 1943 she married in Königsberg Gerhard Kuhr, who 15 years earlier saved Lilo after she fell through the ice. This young man, who had carried her home wet and cold, was tragically killed just a year after the wedding while fighting in Belarus. Tragedy again struck Lilo at the end of the war when her mother was deported to Siberia and later died in captivity. In 1945 she fled to the western side of occupied Germany and continued her studies in Heidelberg. Lilo met many other young people while working at the university library and later 'Amerika Haus'. In 1948 she crossed paths with one in particular - 'a tall, handsome man who knew how to dance' - Eberhard. She married the former submarine captain on January 22, 1949, and shortly after they moved to Canada. Lilo and Eberhard settled in 1950s Toronto, and fortunately she had with her documentation from the Nationalbibliothek in Vienna proving she had passed the 'Staatsexamen' as a librarian. Based on these credentials, Lilo obtained a position at the Toronto Public Library where she worked for many years processing and filing books, engaging with groups of young people to read stories, performing puppet shows and much more. The library years were formative as Lilo would forever after surround herself with a plethora of books and always a copy of the Globe and Mail. Specializing in childrens' literature, Lilo was always drawn to young people. The Ketelhodts regularly housed foreign exchange students, Lilo was eager to babysit, and they unofficially 'adopted' two local daughters - Heather and Winz. Eberhard, initially an employee of an insurance company, chose to resume his law studies from Germany and graduated in 1964, subsequently called to the bar in 1966. Lilo's library hours supported Eberhard in his pursuit of a law degree and these years cemented their commitment to each other as they carved out a new life in Canada. Lilo and Eberhard regularly escaped the realms of books and law. They were avid skiers, attended many arts events and travelled extensively. The Ketelhodt's could've published a Fodor's guide. They regularly returned to Germany to see her father, visited brother Siegfried in Mallorca, and met up with other extended family in Italy and beyond. In 1974 their silver wedding anniversary was the excuse to take the honeymoon they'd always wanted and they traveled to Mexico to explore many Mayan ruins. Perhaps an unlikely pair, Eberhard a submariner and Lilo prone to seasickness, they grew to share a love for water. Together they sailed the Indian coast, British Virgin Islands, the Great Lakes, the Dalmatian Coast and other aquatic destinations. When Lilo's stomach had enough of the waves, she'd fly to meet her husband after his sailing excursions. After Lilo left the library, and Eberhard his law practice, their compass next turned to BC. Frequent visitors to the Okanagan, after 41.5 years in Toronto, they packed up a moving truck, and 4200 km later, they settled on Arawana Road in Naramata. They enjoyed the sunsets, dry climate, walks with their beloved German Shepherd, Vesta, and swims in beautiful Lake Okanagan. Never entirely losing her big-city charm, Lilo had a knack for finding great wines and organizing escapes to watch the Vancouver and Toronto Symphony Orchestras. A read through decades of their annual letters to friends and family chronicles an amazing life of fun and adventure. Lilo bid farewell to Eberhard on March 13, 2014, and proudly lived in their house, maintaining as much independence as she could foster. Well-read, stylish, curious, kind, and a fantastic conversationalist, Lilo had a gift for blending the topics of the day, with her love for symphonic music, gardening, skating, dogs and travel. Speaking of skating, Lilo was indignant that her GP suggested she stop skating after turning 90 - of course she ignored the advice until she was ready to stop. Though never short for words, she was arguably an even better listener - remembering the tiniest of details from past conversations. In reflection at her 100th birthday celebration, Lilo spoke of a good life, filled with love, friendship, and travel. Though it wouldn't have been Lilo if she hadn't subtly commented after a sip of her favourite red, 'but as Eberhard would say, I'm not sure anyone was meant to live this long.' Lilo will be greatly missed by her many friends and family. A celebration of life will follow in due course.