Christine Wirth

February 18, 1929 – December 28, 2017

It is with bittersweet sadness we say goodbye to our much-loved Mom, Oma and Grand-Oma, Christine Wirth, who went home to be with her Lord on Dec.28, 2017. She was pre-deceased by her daughter Maria Charlet in 2010 and her husband of 69 years, John, in 2016.

Christine was born on Feb.18, 1929 in Bonyhad Hungary. Born at home, she was the 5

th

child to Adam and Susanna Hufnagel, having 7 girls in total. Christine attended an all-girl school at a Catholic convent up to grade 6, then went to work on the family farm because they could not afford further education for her. Her jobs on the farm included, carrying wood in for the fire and feeding the cows.

She met a young man named John Wirth in 1945 and they were married in 1947 in Meerholz Germany, where they lived for 6 years. Maria was born in 1949. They immigrated to Canada in 1952 and had a son Alfred in 1953. Christine’s mom and dad and her sister Lydia moved in to their new house on the farm in Valleyview AB in 1956. Dorica was born in 1960. The grandparents took care of the children while Christine and John worked long hours on the farm and second jobs. Christine worked shifts at a café in Valleyview, cooking and baking- all while speaking no English.

Christine’s mom and dad moved to Calgary in 1965. Maria married in 1966 and moved to Calgary as well. With the extra room in their house now, Christine and John opened their hearts to foster children from 1967 to 1971.

In 1973, having had enough of the farm life, John and Christine moved to Calgary with Dorica. Alfred had already moved there in 1972. Christine worked various jobs there, including the Mayland Heights Bakery and Neonex. She also babysat for a co-worker. After Dorica left home in 1979, they decided to retire to the warmer climate of Medicine Hat. There, Christine volunteered in the Temple Baptist Church nursery for many years, as well as on the convenience committee, organizing meals for special events. She and John also worked with Meals on Wheels, delivering food.

After the loss of their daughter Maria in 2010, they decided to move to Cochrane in 2011 to be closer to Dorica. While they waited for a room to open up at the Big Hill Lodge, they lived in a condo unit with a view of the mountains. In 2013 there was an opening at the Lodge, so they moved in to the place they would call home for 3 years. Christine continued to reside there after John passed away in 2016 but soon her health dictated that she be moved to a full care facility. In Aug of 2017 there was an opening at Bethany Care Centre in Cochrane. What an answer to prayer! Thank you to all the staff at both Big Hill Lodge and Bethany Care Centre for your wonderful care of Christine.

Christine had a servant’s heart and would do anything for her family and friends. She will be dearly missed by her son Alfred Wirth (Annie), daughter Dorica Parrott (Norm), son in law Dennis Charlet, sister Lydia (Arnold) Stinner as well as her 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service to be held at Cochrane Alliance Church, Friday Jan.5, 2018 at 11:00 am. Lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, Christine has requested donations to the Cochrane Alliance Church Building Fund.

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