Rita Erika Koester

Carolyn and family, My sympathies to all that loved her. May she watch over you and rest in peace.

My deepest sympathies to her family.l lived not far from Mr Ernest Koestler in Joinville.

Erika’s parents emigrated from Germany to Canada when she was 13 years old. No one in the family spoke a word of English at that time -- a severe limitation when you need to earn a living. Just a year later, with limited English language skills, Erika began to work so that she could help to support the family. Diligent, hard-working and conscientious, with many practical and technical skills (likely inherited from her father) Erika eventually worked her way up to the position of supervisor of a production team in one of Sherbrooke’s factories. Quite an accomplishment when you consider that she did not have the benefit of an education beyond her schooling in Germany -- which ended at the age of 13 when her mother and father decided to move to Canada. Those early days in Canada were often difficult, but in many ways that era was more gentle and simple than today and Erika and I often shared bittersweet memories of those bygone days. Rest in peace, Erika I will miss you very much. With love, Laura