Anne Marie Tekker

OBITUARY ANNE MARIE TEKKER (nee PEREDY) Born in 1917 in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, and predeceased by her husband Joseph in 1996, died December 12, 2008 at St Mary's Hospital with her daughter Barbara at her side. She had just joyfully celebrated her ninety-first birthday at the Catherine Booth Hospital in the presence of her extended family. She will be sadly missed by her son Peter Tekker (Kathryn) of Ancaster Ontario, her daughter Andrea (Peter Blanar), and her daughter Barbara (Alex Brzezinski) all from Montreal, grandchildren, Beatrix (Bill) Argeropoulos, Rob (Christine) Tekker, all from Toronto, and Dr. Christopher Blanar (Jessica McBride), Lydia Blanar, Nicolas, Julianne and Zack Brzezinski, from Montreal, great-grandchildren Angela and Steve Argeropoulos, and Danielle and Julia Tekker, as well as many friends here and in Hungary. Escaping from Hungary in 1944, Anne Marie and Joseph overcame the many challenges of postwar dislocations, and settled in Canada in 1951. They became active in the Hungarian community, founding the Hungarian St. Stephen's Ball in 1959. Their home was always the center of good food and hospitality. After her husband's death, she lived many happy years at the Foyer Hongrois, surrounded by childhood friends, colleagues, and many new friends. Anne Marie gave her three children the gift of laughter, the magic of story telling and an interest in the intricacies of human behaviour. She and Joseph taught their children to value nature, hard work and community activism. In the last five years, Anne Marie's resilience and stamina became increasingly evident. The family thanks Emmi Belenta, Marianne Chirke, Loli Saly and Eva Pekari, Rozsi and Sylvia at the Foyer Hongrois, Tina and Kathy and the caring staff and residents at residence Ste Anne. In particular we thank Julia and Babu Adam for their loving care in these last six months, as well as Dr. David and Maria Thomas and Ulla and Erich Krayer. Her family will receive condolences on Wednesday, December 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Hungary Church, 90 Guizot West, on Thursday, December 18 at 10 a.m. Donations may be made to the Foyer Hongrois, 2580 St. Jacques, Montreal, Quebec, H3J-2M8 (514-934-1777).