Gerti (Gerda) Margarete Rzewuski
elevated 3dIcH January 14, 1942 – May 4, 2022
elevated 3dIcH Visitation
Tuesday May 10, 2022 from 11:15am to 1:15pm
elevated 3dIcH Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated 3dIcH Funeral Mass – Chapel of St. Joseph (within the Funeral Home)
Tuesday May 10, 2022 at 1:30pm
elevated 3dIcH To watch the Funeral Mass Live, please Click Here
elevated 3dIcH Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON, L3T 2C7
elevated 3dIcH Obituary
elevated 3dIcH Gerti (Gerda) Margarete Rzewuski (nee Pitrun)
elevated 3dIcH 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 3dIcH 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 3dIcH 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 3dIcH 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 3dIcH 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 3dIcH Gerti is forever in our hearts and will never be forgotten.
elevated 3dIcH If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital.
elevated 3dIcH
elevated 3dIcH
elevated 3dIcH
Miss you so much Gerda!
Your always affectionate son-in-law,
Michael
Life is not the same without you <3 You will not be forgotten and I love you so much forever. Love Leah
Dear Mrs. Margarete Rzewuski, you are bringing that lovely, soft smile into heaven now and away from earthly sufferings.
May God rest your soul; may you rest in peace.
Bill and I were saddened to hear of our dear friend’s passing. Gerti and I were proud young mothers when we met over fifty years ago at a playground in Don Mills and an instant bond was formed.
I have so many wonderful memories of times spent with Gerti which I will cherish for ever. Competitive games of badminton at the Church of the Ascension, walks (and talks) and lunches in the neighbourhood but especially the days we spent at the cottage with our friend, Molly. Gerti was such a gracious and generous hostess. We loved our days there – swimming, canoeing, enjoying Kaffee und Kuchen, delicious meals with a glass or two of wine, card games – and star gazing from the balcony while solving all the problems of the world! We always looked forward to returning the following year.
Gerti was strong, kind, gentle, smart, stylish and a wonderful friend. We will miss her greatly.
Our thoughts and prayers are with John, Caroline, and all the family.
On behalf of the Duncan family next door, at 3 Shadwell Place, my mum Hazel and father Ken, gone now for 12 years, knew both members well. I recall Alexander years ago as a friend, and sadly he too is long gone. Life throws you darts and arrows, and you got to take them. Condolences to the family.
John and family:
My deepest sympathy to all of you on the passing of Gerda. A loss that has left a big void in your lives. May the many beautiful memories you have help to comfort all of you through this sad time.
I’m sorry that I can’t be with you on Tuesday. I am self quarantining myself after having been exposed to a person last Friday who has developed Covid. I shall be with you in spirit and will watch the service virtually.
My love to all of you.
Sandra Baker
Gerta was one of the loveliest ladies I have ever known. May God rest her sweet soul. With all my love and prayers to John, Caroline and all the family. Laura Colligan
Dear family Rzewuski,Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved wife, mother,and grandmother. May the memories of your family matriarch be a blessing to all of you.
Gerda was a lovely lady and neighbour whom we will always remember surrounded by her beautiful garden and loving family and walking with friends through the Don Mills parkland. May she rest in peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with John, Caroline and all the family.
Cathy, Bert, Lauren and Johanna Notarius
I was deeply shocked to hear the sad news of my cousin’s passing. During our childhood together in Vienna, I spent many happy hours with Gerti, mostly in our grandparents’ apartment or in a coffee house. Since Gerti and her brothers started a new life in Canada, we have unfortunately “lost touch”. Only 10 years ago, thanks to Lisa-Marie, I was able to get in touch with Gerti and her family again and I am so glad that finally we succeeded to hug each other again in Austria in 2014. Two years later I also met her husband Janusz in Vienna with Caroline, Leah and John Paul. In the last 10 years, thanks to the internet, our contact has been much more intense. It is therefore particularly tragic that Gerti was not allowed to visit the places of her youth again, despite her firm intention. Everything that Janusz says about Gerti in his touching obituary, I can only confirm with the deepest conviction. I have lost a lovely, wonderful and caring cousin and would like to express my deepest condolences on this painful loss to her husband, their daughter Caroline, their cute four grandchildren and to the rest of the family. My son and my daughter also join in my condolences. Last greetings from Vienna, dear cousin, from your deeply sad Norbert
Bien cher John,
L’annonce du décès de Gerda nous a profondément touchés.
Gerda et toi restez étroitement liés à notre vie « canadienne » et ultérieure, comme en témoignent les quelques photos que nous t’avons envoyées.
« Gerda et John », « John et Gerda », deux prénoms que nous n’avons jamais dissociés.
Nous savons que les mots ne sont pas d’un grand réconfort.
Mais sache que nous imaginons bien ta peine et qu’en ces sombres circonstances, nous sommes près de toi par la pensée.
Nous pensons également à Caroline, aux enfants, et vous assurons tous de notre profonde compassion.
Nous venons de partager avec vous tous la belle et émouvante cérémonie.
Avec notre profonde amitié.
Dear John,
It is with deep regret and sorrow that we learnt of Gerti’s demise.
We are extremely saddened and very sorry for your terrible loss.
Be comforted in the knowledge that she is at peace and in God’s care.
We pray that her soul Rest in Everlasting Peace and Tranquility.
Please accept our deepest, most sincere and heartfelt condolences.
As I haven’t been too well, it was only today that I checked my emails and read the obituary notice.
Our prayers are with you and the family.
Thinking of you all in your time of sorrow,
Chandu & Vidya Morzaria
Mama…. I miss you so much…. life will never be the same without you. You were not only my Mom, but my best friend and confidante. I know though that you are once again with your Mama, your dad, Tante Betty, Onkel Poldi , uncle John and Peter, and Alex…. May you all rest peacefully. I will keep your memory alive and you will never be forgotten.
Your loving daughter and forever your Spatz xoxoxo