Obituary of Marita Berthilde McCusker

Marita Berthilde McCusker, beloved sister, aunt, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away in the early morning of April 11, 2016, surrounded by members of her beloved family. Predeceased by her parents Alfons and Maria Scheuer; her sister Inge Zimmer, and her loving husband David “Kevin” McCusker. Marita will live long in the memories of her two brothers Lothar (Irene) and Alfred (Ursula) Scheuer; her children Ralph (Henrietta and children Olivia and Poppy), Joyce (children Alexia, Stacia and Tanner), Oliver (Lana and children Katlyn, Joshua and Emily), Carmen (Lennie and children Lindsay, Leslie and Rema) and Georgia (Luke); two great-grandchildren, Aureya and Daxon and her beloved dog, Gucci. Born in Heiligenwald, Germany in the middle of 1942, Marita’s early years were joyfully spent at school, helping her mother and enjoying the company of her brothers – the importance of family being understood from an early age. Her forays into gymnastics and dance already marked Marita out as a bright spark amongst her peers. She soon set her sights further afield and moved first to Cologne, Germany with a girlfriend, and then to Winterthur, Switzerland a few years later where her first son, Ralph was born. In 1966 she followed her eldest brother to Regina where her family grew with the addition of Joyce, Oliver and Carmen. Her life-long desire to help those less fortunate than herself remained undiminished in her long-standing support for the Saskatchewan Foster Parents Association. More than twenty new-born babies were welcomed into her home prior to being adopted, many of whom she stayed in contact with for the remainder of her life. Marita re-married in 1985 to David “Kevin” McCusker and she happily became not only a farmer’s wife but a mother for the fifth time with the birth of their daughter Georgia. Being a mother again did not stop Marita offering her advice, kindness and support to international school students from Luther College which included Helen and Claire Hwang as well as with her growing number of grand-children. When not working the land as a team their years together were spent crisscrossing Canada and the United States either with Kevin’s professional interests or in search of the best available baking ingredients. And she was definitely a legendary baker! Weekly it seemed she baked cakes, cookies, tarts, pies, squares, muffins, etc. in every imaginable flavor combination much to the delight of her ever growing family. Throughout her life she generously shared her passion for baking with anyone who helped her including the post man, the garbage man, the car salesman, the realtor, nurses and doctors in the clinic, the doorman at the hospital - everyone. Her work in this area was recognized by school organizations, commercial businesses and the Regina German Club all whom commissioned her expert cake-making services. It is estimated that during her life she made in excess of 50,000 items of baking for at least 1,000 events! Marita’s compassion, thoughtfulness and unbounded kindness touched people every single day of her life and this will live long in our hearts and minds. She will be greatly missed. She was a devout Roman Catholic all her life and the Funeral Mass will take place at Resurrection R.C. Church, 3155 Windsor Park Road, Regina, SK, on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. A private family interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Saskatchewan Division, 1910 Mclntyre Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2R3.