Karin Grueneberg (née Gabriel) 

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Karin Emma Rudolfine Gabriel on August 16, 2026, at the age of 82. She is predeceased by her husband Julius (March 18, 2026), brother Frank Gabriel, and sisters Ingrid Mueller and Eva Cooper. She leaves behind her brothers Adolf and Rudolf, her nieces and nephews, Patricia Sculthorpe (David), Arthur Cooper (Marcia Douglas), Mark Gabriel (Jessie Wallace) and Kim Yakimovich (Ben), and her great nieces and nephews Geoffrey (Keira), Quinn, and Gillian Sculthorpe (Scott Munn), and Nathaniel and Fynn Cooper. 

Karin was born in 1944 in Vienna, Austria, the sixth of seven children, to Franz Gabriel and Emma Vyroubal. Her early years were a mix of magic and hardship, typical of many large families in the post-war years. Between 1956 and 1957, the whole family emigrated to Toronto, looking to create better lives. 

Always a very practical, no-nonsense, hard worker, but quick to laugh and full of energy for whatever task was at hand, Karin left school after Grade 10 to go to work to help contribute to the family finances. Her first job was with the Ontario Provincial government, followed by a few years at a mining exploration company called Ascaro. She then became the successful co-owner of a boutique confectionery and gift shop on Bloor St. 

In 1966, she met the love of her life, Julius Grueneberg, and they married and settled into life on Woodlawn Ave., where their door was always open to family and friends, and many good bottles of Scotch were consumed. Karin and Julius loved entertaining, and Karin was an excellent cook, providing delicious Austrian specialties to all visitors. They also loved spending time at their farm in Hekkla, near Rosseau, where both said they spent the best times of their lives. 

Karin was a lifelong learner, always interested in the world around her and able to discuss passionately and intelligently a wide range of topics, from history to politics to business. She worked happily and successfully in Sales and Marketing at United Distillers Company Limited, until the head office moved to Montreal, at which point she reinvented herself again, becoming a real estate agent at the age of 60, working for Re/Max until she retired. She and Julius travelled extensively to Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean, but always enjoyed coming home to be with their wide circle of friends, and Karin's siblings and families. Karin was a stupendous aunt, always there to support her nieces and nephews, a loving and heroic sister, who nursed both of her older sisters as they battled terminal illnesses, and a devoted wife, who cared for Julius at home in the final years of his long life. She did all of this without ever complaining, but never wanted to be a burden to anyone else when she herself was ill. She lived a good and happy life, and she will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.