Saskia Kessler (nee Stahl)
November 24, 1928; Rotterdam, Netherlands
October 21, 2021; Calgary, Alberta
Following a brief battle with cancer, Saskia passed away peacefully in her 93rd year with family by her side. Predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Jan Hein and her son Charlie (Cynthia), she will be greatly missed by her children Deé (Ariane), Wendy van Vriesland (Jan), Monique Weilinger (Gary), and her 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She will be fondly remembered by her many cousins, nieces, and nephews worldwide and friends in Canada and abroad who will be saddened by her loss.
Saskia always had such positive energy, an ability to live life to its fullest, and make the most of every day. A long-time member of the Oshawa Golf Club and Toronto Golf Club, she enjoyed sports well into her 80’s and was an avid ski instructor throughout her lifetime. She made many friends at the Toronto Garden Club, IWAT, Book Club, and the Dutch Luncheon Club.
In keeping with Saskia’s wishes, she did not want a funeral, but Saskia and the family would like to acknowledge the staff at Varsity Manor in Calgary for their care and compassion throughout the past 2 years following her relocation from Toronto. Condolences can be shared at www.countryhillscrematorium.ca and if you wish, a donation can made in her memory to “The Redwood” women’s shelter in Toronto: www.theredwood.com
20 Comments
Sorry to have read about Saskia today, she as all the Kesslers were great family friends when we lived on Oshawa. Their home was always warm and welcoming , Saskia lived a great life.
Thank you Stephen for your kind words. My mom always had a soft spot for you and we had so many great family memories. I hope all is well with you and your family.
Saskia was a lovely person and I enjoyed her creativity. She loved designing with flowers and spending time with friends. As a long-time member of the Garden Club of Toronto, she will be missed.
Thank you Trudy. My mom loved her time at the Garden Club.
Regards
Monique
Dear Friend of many floral competitions and floral events,
We spoke last about a month a go when you returned to your residence after the hospital stay. As usual you were in good spirits.
Sergio and I will miss you! We will treasure memories of you positive approach on every aspects of life and your good humour.
Goodby good friend. Our sympathy to all your family and to Monique in particular.
Marisa and Sergio
Hi Marisa,
Thank you for your kind words. You were always so good to my mom, especially when she moved to Hazelton Place.
I hope you are well.
Hugs,
Monique
I am so saddened to hear of Saskia’s passing. She was a true lady in every sense of the word. I think we each had a fondness of each other. I see a friend of hers from Hazelton Retirement, Gerry Kraay, on Sundays at church and will inform him of this when I see him tomorrow. She will always have a special spot in my memory.
Thank you Sue.
Regards,
Monique
Dear Dee, Wendy and Monique, and families
It was a sad day yesterday when I saw your Mom’s obit in the Globe. I think of her as such a vibrant, lively, self-possessed, power house that to think of that energy gone is hard to imagine. I still live in downtown Toronto and would often run in to your Mom at flowers hows, flower shops, or Avenue Road and it was always a pleasure. I know that my mother, Joan, adored Sue, and was in awe of her floral prowess. We lost Joan to Dementia in 2019, but she had a happy and long life.
My Dad and Jim were over for dinner last night, as Dad returned to his home at Christie Gardens, a retirement home, in Toronto. (His stepchildren from wife three, Glennis, now deceased, were kind enough to host him at their home on Lake Simcoe for the pandemic’s duration.) Dad spoke of your Mother’s excellent golf game and the fun parties your parents hosted in Oshawa. JIm spoke of a trip to Hidden Valley when we were young. Jim lives in Okotoks, Alberta with his wife Kerri of 30 years. I sent the obit to Jane, who now has retired to Perth, Ontario with her partner John. She spoke to your mother’s elegance over the years. We were all very sad to learn that Charlie had predeceased your Mom. That must have been very difficult for your family.
We wanted you to know that we were all thinking of you, and your Mom, and are truly sorry for the loss of such a dynamic spirit.
Sincerely,
Anne Avery
HI Anne,
What a lovely note you sent. I remember our family ski trips and of course our time in Oshawa. Our moms were good friends and I was also saddened to learn of her passing a couple of years ago. Please give my regards to your family and I hope you are all well.
Hugs
Monique
Dear Saskia, such a loss to many at the
The Garden Club of Toronto, who were
lucky enough to have known her.
Saskia had a youthful, optomistic, joy about her, always there to participate in floral shows,
and lend her support to other endeavours, where needed.
Our friendship spanned 20 years, More recently driving together to The American
Ivy Society, an organization she really
enjoyed.
I will always cherish every moment spent
with her, they were special.
Hi Sue,
Thank you for your message. Mom did enjoy her time at the Garden Club and the Ivy Society.
Regards,
Monique
I am so sorry to hear of Saskia’s passing. She was annexceptional woman, warm hearted, intelligent and always lively and interesting.. I enjoyed her company, her artisitc ability and her knowledge when we both served on the Floral Design committee of the Garden Club of Toronto. I send my deepest condolences to you ,her family, and hope that time and many happy memories will help you to heal from this major loss. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
With warmest wishes,
Elaine Solway
Saskia was a valued member of the Toronto Japanese Garden Club. We appreciated her positive outlook and her knowledge and expertise through her lengthy association: she will not be forgotten. Please accept our condolences for the loss of this remarkable woman.
I am a friend of Saskia from the Toronto Golf Club. I always admired her high spirits, lovely warm personality and enthusiastic involvement with other members, the club and especially the gardens. She was a wonderful example to all of us.
My condolences to her family.
I am very sad to learn about Saskia have left us today from her previous PSW , I happen to work in this drug store she was dealing with when she lived in Hazelton retirement home on Avenue road in Toronto, I still remember the first time I saw her name and asked her how to pronounce her name ,she is very friendly and also very easy to approach , my job is every Wednesday to deliver prescription to the retirement to our customers , and she is one of the person I always like to see , we had many brief and fun conversation , because we both enjoy flora design and also plants and garden , I happen was working in a busy florist and I also have a hobby job helping design and maintain garden , so it was always interesting to see her floral design and talk about plants and I remember I gave her my plants in my garden let her use for her design and she gave me a small plant to let me plant in my garden , every year when the little blue campanula bloom , i always think of her. She is a very nice , very witty and interesting also easy going person , usually I found distance from the people live in retirement home , as a younger person . I found I could talk to her very easily , she once showed me a big hole on her wall in her room and told me she fall from her walker ,and she laughed ,I was shocked .she is really youthful , and optimistic , she gave me many things and including some advise , she would say , ” listen Timmy …..” and so on so on , I still remember her voice , her accent , I always say ” mrs Kessler good to see you ” and she will always say ” good to see you Timmy ” and ” dont work too hard ” . when she walked in our store I would drop all my work and go to ask her anything i can help , she is such a lovely person I ever met in the retirement home and I had many nice conversation with her ,I was very sad when i heard she passed away ,I had so many good memories talking with her , and I will be very miss her and I know someday I will see her again , and she always has a very special spot in my heart .
My sympathies to the lovely family she left behind, and to all those who loved her. She was much loved, this I know, and my Michelle, my daughter in law, spoke of her with pride and great affection. Wish I had met you, Saskia. RIP.
Monique, I tried to phone your mother for her birthday yesterday only to learn from the Gilchrists that she had passed away.My heart goes out to you. She was a wonderful person, so full of life. Please accept my deepest sympathy. I was saddened to learn that Charlie had died too. Such sadness. Gel passed away in June 2020 so we all have our heartbreak. Fondest regards. Ruth Lafarga
Monique
I was shocked to see Saskia’s obituary. It seems not that long ago that I spoke to her on the phone.
Knowing it was her birthday a couple of weeks ago I sent her an e-card. On checking today I saw that the card had not been picked up and now I know why. 😢
My deepest sympathy to all of you.
Diane Earl
Winfield Terrace
From time to time I look up former clients that I had the honour of meeting while working for Mr Abas. It has been some time since I have done this. It saddens me knowing of Saskia’s passing. Her energy and vibrancy is something I will remember for some time. I don’t know how many times I have sat there while she would make a coffee and stuff me with Stroopwafel and other goodies. The way she would tell stories from her younger years and stories about her children and grandchildren. You could see the joy in her eyes when she spoke of them. I still remember when she was telling me about her fall at a wedding. I can just imagine her dancing away. You don’t see this kind of energy in people today. My condolences to all of those she held dear.