KUNZE, Jutta

JANUARY 7, 1943 – AUGUST 9, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jutta Renate Kunze of Cambridge, Ontario on August 9, 2022, after a 15-year battle with cancer. She was 79 years old.

Jutta is predeceased by her husband Reinhard Kunze (2002), her parents Heinrich Potthoff (1974) and Rosalia Leliwa (1983), and brother Wolfgang Decker (2021). Remembered with love by daughters Beatrice Powell (Colin) and Caroline Macintosh (Doug), grandchildren Sarah, Katie and Ethan; friend and partner Michael Rose, siblings Eva Bittner, Ingrid Palt, and Heinz Potthoff, as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by a large network of friends who brought her much laughter, love and support.

Mom was most content when immersed in the beauty of nature, music, books and her many creative pursuits. She valued time with her family and friends, and especially enjoyed watching her beloved grandchildren grow up. They will always remember their Oma for her incredible energy, spirit, and a love of mischief and fun. Her unfailing sense of humour lives on with all of us.

A lifelong traveller, Mom moved from Germany to Switzerland and then to Canada. She travelled extensively through Canada and the US, especially seeking out the beautiful scenery of National Parks. She found friendship and purpose as a long-time member of the Ancient Mariners, Probus, and as a volunteer at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and The Gleaners.

While we grieve her loss, we are relieved that she is at peace. A special thank you to Michael, who was by Mom’s side throughout her cancer journey and lightened the load on our family. She deeply appreciated his loyalty and support. We also wish to thank the many medical staff who supported Mom's care at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and the Grand River Cancer Centre: thanks to them, she had many good years and was able to see her grandchildren grow to adulthood.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 31, 2022 at Coutts Funeral Home, 96 St. Andrews St., Cambridge. Visitation will take place from 1-2pm with a memorial service and reception to follow at 2pm. For those who cannot attend in person, a livestream link will be provided.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Hospice Wellington, who cared for Mom and for our family with great compassion in her final days, or the Grand River Conservation Authority, on whose trails she enjoyed many happy hours.