Gertrude Helen Tracey

Other Events:

• Name: Gertrude Helen Schnurr
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-219039

Gertrude — Joseph William Schnurr. Joseph (son of Jacob Schnurr and Mary Ann Vogt) was born 7 Jul 1895, Mosborough, Guelph Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario; died 1970, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Patricia Alice "Patsy" Bauer
• Name: Patsy Schnurr
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-247229

Notes:

Patsy Bauer known for warm, welcoming heart

By Valerie HillSpecial to the Record Mon., March 15, 2021

Patsy Bauer's biggest problem while raising a family was finding a babysitter for her 10 kids. Oddly, there were no takers but as always, Patsy found a solution.

Her son Peter said Chicopee ski hill, Waterloo tennis courts and the swimming pool were fun alternatives for the kids and a welcome respite for his mom. Not that she ever complained. Patsy's greatest joy was her family and as far as she was concerned the more the merrier. This extended to kids in the neighbourhood who loved the Bauer household because there was always something going on. Noise, games, conversations, joy and love were central at the Bauer household and it was all because of Patsy's big, welcoming heart.

Another son, EJ, recalled that his uncle, a Catholic priest and former hockey player, Father David Bauer, would call Patsy and ask if it was OK to bring someone to dinner. Often it was an entire hockey team.

"It was an open house to anyone, friends or family," said Peter. "People coming for the first time were in awe. They couldn't get a word in, but everyone was OK with it."

Patsy was born on April 11, 1926, one of five kids, and grew up near Kitchener's Victoria Park.

With her need to nurture, Patsy became a nurse, completing her training at Kitchener's St. Mary's Hospital and later at St. Michael's in Toronto, where she graduated at the top of her class. She returned to Kitchener to work at St. Mary's.

After meeting Ray Bauer Sr., one of 11 kids, the couple married in 1949 and started a family. Ray was working in the family's business, Bauer Industries, eventually becoming the chair of its board. He held that position for nearly three decades.

Early in their marriage, the couple lived with Ray's parents. Patsy continued nursing after marriage but the job came to an abrupt halt the day she was frying breakfast and dashed outside to start the car, returning to see the kitchen drapes aflame. A decision had to be made, either Ray or Patsy had to quit their job and become a homemaker.

As a full-time mom, Patsy excelled. It requires great organizational skills and patience to raise 10 kids, born within 20 years. She did retreat to the basement laundry room regularly, both to wash the mountains of clothes and perhaps to enjoy some alone time.

The family eventually moved to a large house on Union Street, with enough space indoors and out for a lively bunch of kids and all their cousins and friends. This was Patsy's happy place, where she hosted New Year's Eve and Christmas parties, pig roasts and sock hops. She also hosted weddings and funerals on the property.

"She never wanted to miss a party," said Peter. "She was the life of the party."

As a mom, her sons said she was supportive in whatever they wanted to do.

"Mom was brought up in a sports environment: everything involved playing," said Peter. "She got us all into sports."

EJ recalled that 5:30 a.m. hockey practice for the boys would often mean Patsy was their transportation, sitting in the car for an hour or so reading the newspaper in her pyjamas and sipping coffee, waiting. Nothing was too much for her kids.

A favourite vacation place for the family was their Bayfield cottage. Patsy was famous for being the first to dip into icy Lake Huron in the spring, usually May 24 weekend, and the last to enjoy the waters in late fall.

She also took all the children to church every Sunday and abided by the tenets of her faith in everything she did. Peter said his mom's faith laid a foundation for the family she raised.

In 1991, Patsy was recognized for her charity work with the Catholic award that bears a rather lengthy title: The Papal Knighthood in the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher. The title earned her the title "Lady Patricia." Husband Ray received the same order.

EJ said his mom was "loving, committed, unselfish and her family came first."

She had cared for her mother and mother-in-law in her home until they passed. His mom was compassionate and humble, said EJ.


As more and more grandchildren and great-grandchildren entered her world, despite some dementia, Patsy remained deeply connected to her family.

"She knew every single person's name," said EJ.

Daughter, Lisa Bauer-Leahy, said their mother always "rolled with the punches" no matter what obstacle she faced. "She had a good sense of humour," said Lisa.

Ray died in 2001 and a daughter, Barbara, died in 2005. Patsy died on Feb. 26, 2021.

"Patsy Bauer Known For Warm, Welcoming Heart". 2021. Therecord.Com. https://www.therecord.com/life/2021/03/15/patsy-bauer-known-for-warm-welcoming-heart.html.

Patricia married Raymond Aloysius Bauer 1949. Raymond (son of Sir Edgar Jacob John Bauer and Alice Bertha "Bertha" Hayes) was born 17 Aug 1920, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 Dec 2001, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Betty Ann Young
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-226276

Betty — Dr. William J. Young. William (son of Dr. William S. Young and Helen Marie Hanlon) was born 26 Jul 1925; died 2003, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-219037