Gisela Herrmann

GISELA HERRMANN (NEE SCHMITZ)

March 21, 1939 – December 4, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Gisela (Schmitz) Herrmann announces her death on the morning of Monday, Dec. 4^th, 2023. Gisela passed at home as per her wishes, surrounded by her family, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband of 59 years (Heinz), daughters Britta Runtz (Michael) and Katja Uhde (Mark), and grandsons Benjamin and Joshua.

Gisela was born in Siegen, Germany, on the first day of Spring in 1939 to Ingeborg and Hermann Schmitz. She was one of nine children and leaves behind her sister Gretel Klein (Karl-Heinz), brothers Hermann Schmitz (Mila) Jörg Schmitz, and her sister-in-law, Doris Schmitz. Gisela is predeceased by her sister Inge Nöh (Hans), and brothers Bernd Schmitz (Jutta), Wolfgang, Gert and Hans.

Gisela started her nursing studies in Frankfurt at age sixteen, then worked as a nurse in Switzerland (where she met her future husband, Heinz). Gisela and Heinz immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1967; they first lived in Chilliwack, B.C. for a year before moving to Toronto. Gisela had to re-write her nursing exams with a one-year-old in tow. She worked at Queen 99 Hospital and East General while in Toronto.

In 1973, Gisela and Heinz moved to Huntsville to carve out a life on Lynx Lake Road. They hand-cleared the forest and built their Panabode home with their friends Thomas and Elisabeth Jordan. Gisela and Heinz made gardens, foraged, enjoyed the wildlife around them. They created a home where all were welcome. Gisela worked at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital for over twenty-five years.

The family would like to thank Dr. Nay, Dr. Kamra, the oncology staff from the Huntsville hospital, PSWs Juanita, Shannon, Candice, and others who cared for Gisela, and the Palliative Care Team from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare.

Gisela’s bright light is now missing from our lives but will live forever in our hearts and memories.  Donations to Enliven Cancer Care in Muskoka at www.enlivenmuskoka.ca, the RVH Hospital (Oncology Department) at www.rvh.on.ca or the Canadian Cancer Society at www. cancer.ca would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.  

The family will receive guests at Billingsley Funeral Home, 430 Ravenscliffe Road, Huntsville on Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until time of the service in the chapel at 2:00 p.m.  Reception to follow.  Mrs. Herrmann will be laid to rest in the Spring.