August 15, 1925 to January 15, 2008

Marianne Ried passed away peacefully with heart complications in her 83rd year at the Pines Long-Term Care Residence in Bracebridge on January 15, 2008 in the company of her stepson Henry Ried Jr. and son Walter Ried.

Marianne was born in Poland and during the Second World War she and her two sisters and parents fled as refugees to settle in Bavaria, Germany. It was there just after the war, while working as a governess for an American colonel’s family, that she met her future husband, Henry Ried Sr.

They immigrated to Canada in 1953-54 and established themselves in the Toronto area. After 17 years of marriage Marianne was widowed, but carried on with an active life enriched by good friends and the occasional visit with relatives back in her native Germany.

After retiring at 65 as an accounting clerk with Litton Industries, she moved from Mississauga to Bracebridge to join her son and daughter-in-law. She spent over 10 years enjoying a condominium on the Muskoka River in Bracebridge where she made wonderful new friends. She enjoyed watching her two grandchildren grow into young adults.

As she lost her vision and dementia started slowing her down, she moved into her own apartment at James Street Place. She spent the last two years in the very capable and compassionate hands of the staff at the Pines.

Marianne was an avid gardener, reader, crossword solver and the Scrabble matriarch of her extended family and friends. She loved to swim in the Muskoka lakes — especially after a sauna, cross-country ski, sing and play Ping-Pong.

She will be missed by her son Walter (Donna), grandchildren Jennifer and Andrew, stepsons Henry (Joan) and Wolfgang (Betty), surviving sister Ursula Rhode and extended family and friends.

The family would like to acknowledge the fine medical care provided by Dr. Kent Phillips and Dr. Bill Hemens and the support staff of South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, James Street Place and the Pines who all helped Marianne age with grace and dignity.