More information has now been released on the memorial details for Betty Albrecht, the wife of Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht.
Betty died on Wednesday at Hamilton General Hospital at the age of 59. Her death is being blamed on a brain hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain.
After complaining of a headache on Monday, she had collapsed at home while getting ready to attend the celebration marking Harold's re-election.
The couple was married for 39 years and living on a working farm in Wilmot Township. They have three children and nine grandchildren.
David Drewe, Harold's assistant, says "Harold's taking it very hard, but 39 years of marriage, it would have been 40 this June, I don't think anybody would expect otherwise. He's one of the strongest people I know in his faith and I believe his faith and his family will carry him through this."
The visitation for Betty is being held at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home in New Hamburg on both Friday and Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
A funeral will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Community Christian Reformed Church in Kitchener.
Prime Minster Stephen Harper is expected to attend the funeral, according to a release from the PMO's press secretary Andrew MacDougall.
The note goes on to say "Betty was everything Harold had described: kind, caring and generous in her spirit. The Prime Minister and his family offer their deepest condolences to Harold and his family as they grieve her passing."
Cambridge MP Gary Goodyear also expressed his sympathies saying "We've rallied behind Harold and his office at this very difficult time. We'll be there to provide Harold with whatever he needs."
In a statement read by Harold in the House of Commons on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2008, he thanked his wife for her support:
"Mr. Speaker, over the past two years I have had the incredible privilege and honour of serving the constituents of Kitchener-Conestoga here in the Parliament of Canada.
While the list of those who have influenced my life and encouraged me along my journey is a long one, there is one person to whom I am most indebted and who deserves great thanks on this very special day: my wife Betty.
From our university days to the establishment of our home and a private dental practice, her support has always been there 100 per cent. Her love and care for our three children and her personal involvement in their lives has been priceless. I thank her, our children thank her, and our seven grandchildren thank her.
Our most recent years have been filled with huge transitions and challenges, but again she has given me her support at every turn and together we have the honour of serving the great people of Kitchener-Conestoga.
I will never be able to thank Betty for her faithful commitment over the past 36 years, but today I want her to know how deeply she is loved. I am grateful that God has blessed my life with her as my best friend and wife. She has made Canada a better country and enriched my life in incredible ways.
Happy Valentine's Day."
It's a statement that makes Harold and the Albrecht's family's loss even more poignant.
