HOWALD, Caitlin Marie HOWALD

Caitlin is survived by her husband, Michael Thaler, and their children, Finn and Kaia. Beloved daughter of Bob and Joan Howald. Cherished sister of Kimberly Howald-Lee (Jared Lee) and Jacquie Howald (Marlaina Fox). Sadly missed by her parents-in-law, Anne and Bob Thaler, and her siblings-in-law, John and Erin Thaler, and Mary Thaler. Deeply mourned by her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Predeceased by her beloved grandparents, who held a special place in her heart. Remembered by her nephew and nieces, Isaac Lee, and Hannah and Kate Thaler, and her many friends around the world.

Caitlin was born on June 26,1989 in Etobicoke and grew up in Mississauga. She excelled academically and went on to complete her BScH (2012), BEd (2013), and PME (2023) from Queen’s University.

Caitlin loved the outdoors and shared that love with others through Girl Guides of Canada, attending Camp Wyoka as a camper, staff member, and eventually as a director. This work led her to pursue a career in teaching, and she shared a love of learning across the globe teaching at schools in Thailand, Germany, and Waterloo Region. She was a passionate educator who was constantly innovating and challenging herself to find new ways to help her students succeed academically and emotionally.

In 2019, Caitlin was diagnosed with breast cancer while living in Germany, which was successfully treated with chemotherapy and radiation. A few short years later after moving back to Ontario, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer following the birth of her second child. Caitlin’s motivation to fight and to help others led her to form a team for the CIBC Run for the Cure, Caitlin’s Crew. Her drive and passion led her to be the top team fundraiser in the region for each of the last two years, raising over $58,000 for cancer research so that other women did not have to face what she was going through.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Evangelisches Krankenhaus in Düsseldorf (Germany), Juravinski Cancer Centre, and the palliative care unit at WRHN @ Chicopee for their care and compassion.

Friends and family are invited to the visitation at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, at 291 Huron Street in New Hamburg on Friday April 10, 2026 from 4-7 pm, and on Saturday April 11, 2026 from 9-11 am visitation will take place at Shantz Mennonite Church, 2473 Erb’s Road, Baden, Ontario N3A 3M3. A celebration of Caitlin’s life will take place at 11:30 am on Saturday April 11, 2026 at Shantz Mennonite Church, with a reception to follow. A link to the virtual memorial will be available on the funeral home’s website.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pink Pearl Canada, an organization from which Caitlin drew strength, and which supports young women facing cancer in Canada. This can be done either at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home or on the Pink Pearl Canada website. Personal condolences may also be posted at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca