Obituary of Marianne Sollberger

Passed away peacefully at home on Sunday September 26 surrounded by her family and a tremendous amount of love.  Marianne was the beloved and cherished wife of Fred for more than 52 years.  She was the loving mother of Jenn (Jeremy) and Julie (Tim).  She was the dear sister of Alex (Verna) Fruch and Edwin Fruck. “Meme” was the proud and loving grandmother of Kenna, Nolan, Lilly and Oliver. She was predeceased by her parents Edwin and Lydia Fruck.

Marianne’s life was rich and full.  She was a teacher for the Catholic school board, spending most of her career teaching in Grimsby and later Smithville, where she and Fred lived for more than 30 years before moving to Dunnville after retirement.  The pair travelled much of the world in their 52 years of marriage especially to Europe where both had family. For the past 8 years, they spent their winters at their home in a retirement community in Englewood, Florida.  Marianne often referred to their time there as “Summer Camp for Seniors”.  She was an active and engaged community member wherever she lived, be it as a church youth minister, Girl Guide leader, choir member, bingo caller etc.  She loved socializing and enjoyed group dinners and game nights with friends and family.    

Marianne’s friends called her a butterfly not simply because she was so social but because she was such a colourful, vibrant, beautiful person.  She attracted people to her wherever she went.  She had so many meaningful friendships.  She was one of the friendliest people on the planet.  She would talk to anyone and everyone.  She genuinely cared about every person she interacted with.  She was positive and optimistic and glass half full even at the very end.  She had a unique, one-of-a-kind sense of humour and loved to laugh.  She also loved the simple pleasures in life like her savoured morning cup of coffee or reading a good book.  But above all else she loved her family more than anything.  These are the things her family and friends will remember most about her.

In lieu of flowers or a donation, the family asks that those who want to honour Marianne and her life and legacy, please consider a random act of kindness. As she made the world a better and brighter place by her thoughtful and caring acts, this is a wonderful way to pay tribute to her.   

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.