April 3, 1926 - March 27, 2012
Katharina (Kitty) Johanna, born Zeilinger, in Vienna, Austria, passed away in Kamloops Hospice House succumbing to a massive stroke.
Kitty had a tumultuous beginning. Growing up during the war years, times were tough & she knew a lot of insecurity, hunger and fear. When the Nazis lost the war, she and a friend were moving around, working their way towards the American zone. She settled in Salzburg during her young years & was fortunate to get a job with the Americans where she worked as a telephone operator. That's where she had the opportunity to learn English and met Albert's father. Knowing the language helped her immigrate to Canada to work at the Squilax hunting & fishing lodge. She saved every cent she could to bring her son to Canada, & on November 18th, 1952, she was reunited with her 7 year old Albert.
Now living in Kamloops, Kitty worked as a telephone operator, waitress, or whatever she could find, working 3 jobs at one time so she could support the two of them. She met John, and a few year later they were married. Quite an entrepreneur, Kitty saw the possibilities in many areas of business, and when they acted on them they were always successful. They owned several apartment blocks over the years and the Courtesy Inn Motel before they retired. Kitty loved her flower gardens and was very good with crafts. Her hands were never idle.
Kitty was predeceased by her husband John.
She is survived by her son Albert John Matter of Vancouver, B.C., her grandsons Braden (Crystal), great grandchildren Dylan & Faith of Duncan, B.C., Christian (Mia) great grandchildren Lily & Calvin of Edmonton, Alberta, also great-grandson Luc of Boise, Idaho. She is al survived by her granddaughters Serena & Natasha both of Vancouver, B.C., as well as many other relatives and friends.
Pastor Brian Krushel will conduct the Memorial Service at Hills of Peace Lutheran Church, 695 Robson Drive, Kamloops, on Saturday, April 14th, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Royal Inland Hospital ICU, 311 Columbia St., Kamloops, B.C., V2C 2T1 would be greatly appreciated.
The family would like to thank all the Royal Inland Hospital Doctors and Nurses in Emergency & ICU, as well as staff in Kamloops Hospice House for all their care, compassion and support during Kitty's stay.