Mum was born July 15th 1929 in Egar Czechoslovakia and christened Maria Bertha Ruhl, but Mitzy to her family and Mum to us. Mum was teller of many stories, some sad and many funny ones. One of the saddest stories I remember was her teenage years during the War and surviving. Her career in ladies hair fashions cut short by the Iron fist, and her family escaping across many borders to safety and freedom. Mum met our Dad, Stan in the 1950’s in England where she was in a work placement Hostel. Mum and Dad married and raised Peter, Helen, Anton and myself in Haslingden, England. Mum had a love of England like no other it was a place where her health was its best she love the sea air and she had of her dearest friends who lived in our neighbourhood. Leaving England and her friends behind was a sad day in her life as she journeyed to Canada in October 1967. Soon after our arrival in Canada Mum started to work at Dobbie Industries in Galt and started to make new friends, she eventually came to love the town of Galt. Mum’s best friend Ellen Bagley (Sis) as they called each other was a great friend and confidant and was there for Mum every step of the way. When our home life changed and Mum and Dad moved on to their own lives apart it was a lot of adjustment for us all. John and I we were still at home. Mum and Dad did her best to always make sure we were warm, happy and fed no matter what was going on. I left home at the Age of 18 this was around the time that Mum and Walter had decided to marry; I think she still referred to this as "The time I ran away from Home”. I was running away from the many nights of doing the Polka at the “German Club” for all of you who know my Mother, she loved to dance and Polka we did. When she married Walter she became Mum to my sisters and brother, Wanda, Donna, Angie, Laurie and Walter Jr. We had a full house at many family gatherings. My Mother was very protective of all of us, always and worried what people would think and what would happen to us, would we be okay. One of those times was when I told her I was Gaye, This came as a shock and it took her sometime to understand and adjust, but I was her Son and she loved all her children, All 10 of us unconditionally, no matter who we were and what we did, and We, all of us did things that would raise eyebrows, and as Mum would say judge not. Mum had a great love for Tony, so I have to say thank you Tony for loving her and taking care of her for so long. Over the last years Mum and I didn’t see eye to eye on things; however she was always in my heart. A few weeks back I had seen my Mum for the first time in many years and it came as a shock to see her in St Mary’s hospital. For a few minutes she didn’t remember who I was, what has time done? She had gotten old but then so have all of us kids. When she realized it was me she beamed, and said Oh it’s my Raymond, then quizzically looking at me rubbing her lips she ask what’s that hair patch on your chin? Mum that’s my sole patch Oh she said and then patted my stomach and said put on weight eh !!! and you have chops and then laughed her very broad laugh that she has, that is my Mum "say it like it is". I have had the luxury of having 2 Mothers in my life my own Mum and my Partner Harvey’s Mother Ma, who both now have passed on just 3 months apart and they both have instilled in me the unconditional love that a Mother has for their Children. In closing my Mum would always say make the best of life no matter what because we are all on borrowed time. I’m glad I got to say goodbye that day. I love you Mum more than you ever will know, you made me who I am today and always know that when I look in the mirror you look back at me every time. Sleep well; give Oma and Opa a big kiss from their Shatz And Mum "Now we make the Dance" Dobranuts, Guttenacht, Awfweirdersein