Gisela grew up in Witmarsum, Brazil. To survive, the family moved often, planted manioc, fished, and foraged for food. At 6 months, she rolled into the Kraul River; her siblings saved her (and never told mother), but Gisela was always nervous about swimming. When she was 10, the family immigrated to Clearbrook, B.C., where they had their first house and chicken coop. She became a nanny in Vancouver at 14. At 16, when Gisela attempted to swim at Mill Lake, B.C., Peter rescued her. They raised a family in Vancouver, and enjoyed 11 years of retirement in Abbotsford. Gisela’s handiwork won prizes at Agrifair. She found joy listening to Clearbrook MB Church’s choir practices and baking for the ladies group. A baker before their marriage, Peter conceded that her bread and cupcakes were superior. After rotator cuff surgery, Gisela didn’t regain health, and tests revealed aggressive lung cancer.
