In Loving Memory of Christine DeGeer (nee Kleinau)
December 12, 1959 – September 26, 2024
With profound sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Christine DeGeer at the age of 64. She was a beloved wife, stepmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and teacher to many.
Christine graduated from King City Secondary School and went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Toronto, followed by a Master’s Degree at the University of Windsor. In 1984, she began her teaching career at Nobleton Middle School and later continued at Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School, where she dedicated herself to teaching English, German, and French. A passionate educator, Christine co-authored the history textbook Odyssey Through the Ages and collaborated with her mother on two legacy books that celebrated the life stories of seniors.
As a devoted wife and stepmother, Christine selflessly cared for her family, positively impacting their lives. She made significant breakthroughs in helping her stepson Richard overcome his disability and find fulfillment. Christine’s love for teaching and her passion for horses infused their home with creativity and joy, as she decorated for every holiday and embraced every adventure, especially travel.
Christine is survived and deeply mourned by her husband, David O’Donnell, and his children: Candice Sethi (Rishi Sethi), Richard O’Donnell, and Nicole O’Donnell (Jose Torres). She is also survived by her mother, Kathe Kleinau (predeceased by her father, Siegfried Kleinau), her siblings Thomas Kleinau (Susan) and Isabel Hetram (Vinny), her nephew Ryan Kleinau, niece Melissa Kleinau, nephews Lex and Remy Hetram, niece Brynne Hetram, and cousin Angela Minaker. Christine will be sorely missed by her two grandchildren, Alina and Krishen Sethi, who were her greatest joys.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Lung Association would be greatly appreciated. The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street South (Hwy. 50), Bolton, on Saturday morning, October 19th from 10 am until time of memorial service in the chapel at 11 am.
https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=a7abd65b-5136-4c1e-92fc-3a82451ec5ac
Elaine & Sami Brooks
Deepest condolences to the O’Donnell, Kleinau families. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Christine was a special and caring lady that will be deeply missed by all that knew her. May she live in our hearts for ever.
marliz tel
Dear Christina and Family,
There are no words to describe the ache in my heart and the sorrow that I feel each day without Christina. She has been a huge blessing to me and my horse. Christina, I love you and miss you terribly.
To her dear family, my sincere condolences and may God give you strength during this difficult time. All my love, Marliz.
Werner
With fond thoughts and blessings from Erika and Werner Scheliga.
It was in July 1989 at the preparations for Susan Scheliga’s and Tom Kleinau’s Wedding, when we met Christine for the first time and we were impressed by her kindness and fine manners.
She was always helpful and generous in everything and when we got the news to us that she passed away, we were shocked.
May our Lord bless her in internity and give us the strength to overcome this loss.
Gabriele Turner
Tiefstes Beileid
Freda Smouter
Dear Kathe,
My sincerest condolence on the death of your dear daughter Christine.
She was a very accomplished and talented person. She will be missed very much by you, her husband and the many family members. May our heavenly Father give you much strength and encouragement.
Rick Wilkinson
Dave: Please accept my deepest condolences on your tragic and unexpected loss, words are not enough, your old friend Rick
Mary Baillie
Christine was taken way too soon!!! She had such a gentle gracious manner and a very generous spirit that I will never forget. I was amazed at her dedication to her rescued equines and knew that when I heard she had adopted my old mini Gemini, I knew that he would have the last best home ever!
Stephanie McKinley
Madame DeGeer taught me OAC French. She was such a great teacher. There are two stories I still tell about her;
My bus was late a lot so I was often late for her class. She kept me after class because of my lateness and then smiled her big smile and said she couldn’t get mad at me for being late because I was too cute. We laughed. She was so sweet.
The second recollection I have is how she invited our whole class to her home for food and a study night. Again, so thoughtful, sweet and she went above and beyond.
My condolences.
Laurie Clouthier
Dear David and Family,
Alex and I are sending our deepest condolences. Christine was such a kind and wonderful woman. Without knowing me she opened your farm to me for photographing clients and through that we became friends.
I am so happy I got to capture your family as well.
You and Christine were both so kind to Alex when he worked there. She will be dearly missed by your family but also by many in the community. Thinking of you.
Marie-Therese Parisani
This amazing woman taught me French and German at Williams. She always had a smile on her face and love just poured out of her. She had a huge impact on me. To this day I’ve been unable to call her by her first name because I think she deserves all the respect that comes with being such an incredible teacher. She found this funny and retaliated by calling me by my legal name ❤️. My deepest condolences to her family. With love and respect, Marie-Therese
Ernie and Daina Wienecke
Our condolences to Christine’s family.
We knew the family well as they were growing up and members of the Martin Luther evangelical church in Toronto!
We are saddened to hear about her passing
Peter & Astrid Scheliga
Our deepest condolences on the sudden death of Christine .
May her light continue to shine down on you & take comfort in your memories at this time of sadness.
Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you
God bless
Peter, Astrid & all our extended family
Laura and Cheyenne Bognar
My daughter and I are extremely saddened by the sudden passing of Christine. She was one of the most kindhearted and caring souls I have ever met and consider it a great privilege that I got to know her this past year while boarding our horse at her farm. She will be deeply missed. Our deepest condolences go out to her family at this difficult time.
Cheryl Soper and Steve Cuss
Dave, words cannot express how sad we are on the passing of Christine. She was such a warm and caring person. You and your family will truly miss her. Memories of Christine will always be in your hearts.
Love Cher and Steve
Angela Metcalfe
Frau DeGeer was my excellent high school German teacher at Williams S.S. We are going back to 1988 or thereabouts and that was the first year the program was offered there. She was one of our youngest teachers. I remember that she arranged some fun field trips for us, which I think was a very nice thing for her to do. She definitely was a beautiful person inside and out and I am saddened to discover that she has passed on at a relatively young age. I can picture her walking through the hallways with a big smile on her face; she seemed a genuinely happy person, perhaps because she loved to teach. She told me so.
Ajit and Betty Sethi
Dear David and family and Kleinau family.
We are so so sorry for your sudden loss of
a wonderfull person.
Our sincere condolences.
We wish you strength during this sad time!!
Karen Holmberg-Cash
Christine and I were longtime rider buddies and past neighbours, and I am deeply saddened by her passing. We shared so many ups and downs over the years but they are now forever memories.
Best wishes to her family and equine friends.
Jennifer Watt
My condolences to you and your family!
Mme. DeGeer was my grade 8 French teacher at Nobleton PS. She was very passionate about teaching and learning.
In working with the O’Donnell family after university, our paths crossed again. It was always a pleasure bumping into her in the community over the years. She had the biggest smile and the warmest heart!
I was saddened to hear of her passing so young. I’m sorry for your loss.
Best to all of you,
Jennifer
Daniel McConnachie
Condolences to the family on Christine’s passing. I meet Christine through a mutual friend where we discover we had King Secondary as a common link. She was a caring and gifted teacher. Gone far too soon.
Sean Henry
Christine (Frau) was my German teacher at Williams S S for three years. She was one of two teachers who lead a trip to Germany in 89. I am shocked and saddened by her death. My deepest condolences to her family.
Gaye Revell
I am so saddened to hear of Christine’s passing. She and I were colleagues at Williams S.S. for several decades. Christine was always kind and enthusiastic with a smile on her face. She was a brilliant and creative teacher and I know that in her classroom, way in the back corner of the school, magic happened. Once her students were a part of that magic, they never let go.
My heart-felt condolences go to her family. May Christine’s magic will always be with you.