Elke passed away peacefully at home with her husband Peter at her bedside. She suffered from cortico-basal ganglionic degeneration, an incurable, progressive, neurodegenerative disease that robbed her of the use of her larger, then smaller muscle groups, rendering her fully disabled and incapable of movement or speech. Her abilities to swallow and to smile were the last to be lost. Elke was warm, kind, generous, considerate, happy, full of life and loving for her and Peter’s families, colleagues, friends and yes, their animals too. She made and kept many friends and it was a joy to be in her company. Elke’s and Peter’s relationship was the second for each of them and spanned 50 years. They were lovers, bride and groom, partners in everything, soul mates, and the very best of friends. She will be missed by her sister Walli, niece Anja Vieregge (Kai Brunnemann), their children Anna and Finn, the Brunnemann clan and her many friends in Germany and France, as well as by Peter’s children and partners, all of whom she embraced and loved as her own: Mark (Jane Woods) Carey (Penny Martin) Vanessa (John Rahme) and grandchildren John and David Steinmetz, Colin and Simon Steinmetz, and Isabel, Lily and Parker Rahme.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday August 9, 2023 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto. The family wishes to thank Aubrey Marie Roque and Evelyn Magcuha, Elke’s personal, live in care givers for the past 4 years, and the caregivers, nurses and staff at Hearthstone, for their continuing and devoted support during that time. Thanks as well to Dr. Shayda Ziai, Dr. Jessica Zive and their colleagues at the Dorothy Ley Hospice for their kind and compassionate attention to Elke.
In lieu of flowers a donation in remembrance to The Dorothy Ley Hospice or to your favourite charity would be welcomed and appreciated.