elevated mo7vz November 3, 1933 ~ May 6, 2025

elevated mo7vz Visitation
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 11:00 am – 1:15 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
*Eulogies to start at 12:30 pm in the visitation room*

elevated mo7vz Funeral Mass
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 1:30 pm
Chapel of St. Joseph at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6

elevated mo7vz Inurnment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6

elevated mo7vz Section: 22

elevated mo7vz Reception
Following the Inurnment at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home. All are welcome to join the family. 

elevated mo7vz Obituary
It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of our matriarch, Theresa Keilhauer (nee Reinprecht). Theresa was a woman with a huge heart. A kind person who had many, many friends and family in her life— a network that grew until her very last day. Theresa was a beloved Mom, a cherished grandmother, a steadfast friend, a social linchpin, and to countless others just “Oma.”

elevated mo7vz Born to humble beginnings in Ruma, Yugoslavia, Theresa endured many challenges in her early life, beginning with the loss of her cherished father (Paul) when she was 8 years old. At age 11, she fled her home with her unflappable mother Katarina (Nanny) and her younger brother Paul, joining the ranks of WWII refugees. They spent 4 years in a small town in Austria until they were finally able to emigrate to Canada in 1948, landing in Halifax at Pier 21. Visiting Halifax many years later, Oma could still recall her mother opening her arms from the deck of the ship proclaiming, “I wonder what we will find in our new country.” 

elevated mo7vz What Theresa found in Canada was community, and a network of friends that never stopped growing. She was a shy teenager (hard to believe for those who met her later), but her warm nature and easy smile served her well in her new home. Connecting with the German community in Toronto, she met Eduard Keilhauer at St. Patrick’s church. After a brief courtship, Ed and Theresa were married. Over the next 10 years, Theresa and Ed welcomed 5 sons to the world – their “boys,” and Theresa’s most treasured family. Theresa proudly nurtured her boys to adulthood.

elevated mo7vz In the late seventies, Theresa’s marriage ended. She bravely stepped into her newly found independence with grace and as her confidence grew so did her joy and determination to live her life to the fullest.

elevated mo7vz Theresa went back to work, overcame her fear of driving on the highway, and invested more time with the Danube Schwaben community, later becoming the President of the German Club. 

elevated mo7vz Theresa started annual Keilhauer family reunions which became the glue of the whole extended family. She became a passionate line dancer, travelled widely, and made new friends on all her adventures. She helped her sons launch their business in 1981 and befriended everyone who worked there. 

elevated mo7vz With her boundless charm and vivacious energy, Theresa was magnetic. There was no such thing as a stranger in her life. Her network of friends and relatives grew and grew. Known for her amazing cooking, Theresa was a generous host who always had room for more at her table. She had a gift for building special bonds with women who found themselves on their own, fostering incredibly loyal life-long friendships with many cherished girlfriends. 

elevated mo7vz She was delighted when her family grew by 5 daughters-in-law, and she became Oma to 9 grandchildren.  Oma was everywhere all the time— showing up to babysit, to make a meal, or simply to visit, never arriving without food and gifts in her arms. 

elevated mo7vz Oma laughed easily and made others feel comfortable laughing alongside her. She lived in the moment and seized every opportunity to have fun or engage with those around her.  At her 80th birthday party, she heckled the speakers and at 90 proclaimed “I am the luckiest girl in town!!” 

elevated mo7vz She had a big, remarkable, adventurous, and long life. She was unforgettable to those who knew her. Theresa was a people person and as long as there was someone to talk with, she was having a good day. We will miss her.

elevated mo7vz In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant House or Sick Kids Hospital, two charities Theresa supported.