elevated obqbs January 14, 1942 – May 4, 2022

elevated obqbs Visitation
Tuesday May 10, 2022 from 11:15am to 1:15pm

elevated obqbs Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6

elevated obqbs Funeral Mass – Chapel of St. Joseph (within the Funeral Home)
Tuesday May 10, 2022 at 1:30pm

elevated obqbs To watch the Funeral Mass Live, please Click Here    

elevated obqbs Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON, L3T 2C7

elevated obqbs Obituary

elevated obqbs Gerti (Gerda) Margarete Rzewuski (nee Pitrun)

elevated obqbs It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gerti at her home in Don Mills on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the age of 80, after a lengthy battle with cancer.  Gerti was the beloved wife of John for 56 years, cherished mother of Caroline (Michael) and the late Alexander, and treasured Omi of Leah, John Paul, Ella and Kiera. Gerti is predeceased by her older brothers John and Peter, with whom she had a special bond.  She was an affectionate aunt to Chris and Lisa-Marie and the dear sister-in-law of Ruth and Lynn.  Gerti will be fondly remembered and missed by her close friends, many of which she met when she first came to Canada. 

elevated obqbs Gerti was born in Vienna, Austria on January 14, 1942.  Her father died during the war, leaving her mother to raise Gerti and her older brothers. She fondly spoke of summers in Münzbach, helping at the farm and she often visited her Tante Betty and Onkel Poldi outside Salzburg, with whom she had a close relationship. She loved to dance, and often spoke of how wonderful it was to go dancing with her brothers and friends as a teenager. 

elevated obqbs In 1965 she met her soon-to-be husband Janusz, who had recently arrived in Austria from Poland.  They were married in 1966 and arrived in Toronto that summer and became known as John and Gerda.  From 1973 to 1977 they lived in Paris, France, and made many fond memories.  Upon their return they settled in Don Mills, and Gerti worked for many years in the Customer Service Department of Eaton’s at the old Don Mills Mall.

elevated obqbs A gifted artist with a green thumb, she could be found painting watercolours or working in her English garden. Gerti loved mystery novels, travelling, the cottage, sudoku, cats, and the music of Elvis Presley… but most important to her was her family. She never forgot a birthday, and had a special talent of beautifully wrapping gifts.  

elevated obqbs Gerti was strong yet gentle, loving yet firm, and was always there to offer advice or a soft hug. She was generous and kind, stylish and clever, witty and courageous and faced adversity with stoicism. 

elevated obqbs Gerti is forever in our hearts and will never be forgotten.

elevated obqbs If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital.

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