Memorials at the Library

The Anne Abohbot Memorial Window

In September 1997, Waterloo Public Library lost a dear friend when librarian Anne Abohbot passed away. Among her duties, Anne was responsible for coordinating work with volunteers, developing audio-visual services, Visiting Library Service, books-on-tape, and large print book collections. Anne, along with Grete Pruefer, was instrumental in developing the “Cancer Collection” for the Library.

As a tribute to this special woman, family, friends, and co-workers commissioned a stained glass window in her memory. Robert Brown of St. Jacobs designed and created the window, which reflects Anne’s love of gardens and of reading. On October 4, 1998 the window was unveiled in the reading area facing Albert Street.

The Grete Pruefer Memorial Garden

In January of 1998, Waterloo Public Library lost a valued colleague when Community Relations Officer Grete Pruefer also passed away. Grete was a dynamic woman who was responsible for Library promotions and fundraising, as well as serving on the Children’s Circulation Desk at the Main Library. Grete was instrumental in developing both the “Work Place” collection and, with Anne Abohbot, the “Cancer Collection”.

As the Library’s appearance and image was so important to Grete, we decided to have a memorial garden planted in her honour. The garden reflects the image created in Anne’s window, which is fitting as they were close friends. The City of Waterloo’s Parks Services Department generously donated the design, labour, and materials. Family, friends, and co-workers purchased two simple yet elegant reading benches for the garden. On October 4, 1998 the garden was dedicated in Grete’s memory. Grete’s Garden is located beside the sidewalk at the Albert Street entrance.