Christine Ermuth

ERMUTH, Christine (née Waugh) 1944-2023

The woman who loved and was loved died on May 1st at the age of 78.

A wonderful wife to Fred (who died in 2017), mom to Roger (Shannon), Michele (Ed) and Pam (Barry) and Gran to her eight grandchildren (Nikki, Caitie, Jamie, Laura, Rory, Theo, Emery and Morgen), Christine’s beautiful heart, twinkling eyes and contagious laughter will be sorely missed.

Much younger than her twin brother Gordon, Christine was born in Niagara Falls and spent her summers romping through the woods of Algonquin Park, paddling, swimming and creating memories on Cache Lake with her family and friends.

After graduating from Nepean HS, Christine went to York University. She met Fred on a ski hill near Toronto and delighted in his unintentional acrobatics as he traversed the slopes. His antics worked: Christine instantly fell in love with the man who embraced her devotion to nature and shared her enthusiasm for adventure. Together they embarked on their life’s journey, moving to Germany, Iowa, Newmarket and finally settling in Ottawa.

A child of nature, avid reader and faithful friend, Christine spent her entire life in the service of others. Whether it was teaching self-help groups at the CNIB, wrangling a bunch of unruly Brownies, or organizing parties to celebrate the joys of life, Christine was the sun for so many.

In non-cottage season (when hypothermia became a legitimate risk), Christine returned to Ottawa and re-engaged with her wide range of city activities. From aquafitness to yoga to dinner parties to book clubs, Christine and the “Girls” made the most of their time together and sometimes even managed to keep their clothes on (you know who you are). Despite her busy social schedule, Christine always found time for her children and grandchildren whether sharing a meal, attending school functions or most importantly teaching the next generation how to cheat at board games- she was our world. In cottage season, she could be found dockside at Lake Clear, where friends and family gathered to immerse themselves in the wonders of her Happy Place.

As we bid farewell, please take a moment to squint off into the distance. You just might catch a glimpse of her. She is in a red canoe. Fred is with her. One of her adored dogs has a head hanging over the gunwale. She is dipping her paddle into a calm Algonquin lake. The yellow glow of a fading sun is guiding them on the last leg of their journey. She smiles kindly as she looks back to offer you her final affirmation: May you paddle through life with the wind at your back and your loved ones at your side.

We give our sincere thanks to Dr. Manzig, Christine’s dedicated and amazing family physician. We are equally grateful to Dr. Roberts and the care teams at the Ottawa Hospital who treated Christine with such kindness, professionalism and empathy.

We invite you to come to celebrate the life and laughter of Christine at Tubman Funeral Homes Westboro Chapel (403 Richmond Road). A visitation will be held May 18, from 6 to 8pm with a service and reception on May 19, starting at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to take a long walk in nature, marvel at its wonders and look for signs of spring. Or sit by a lake, watch the sunset and listen to the call of the loons. If you feel compelled to donate something in honour of Christine, please consider The Friends of Algonquin Park to ensure that others too can enjoy its rugged splendour. Tributes, donations, and condolences may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com