Gisela Hernandez

Many things can be said about Gisela Hernandez. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Gisela was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Her parents were Anna Maria Balzer and Kurt Glage. Gisela was raised in Germany. When she was young, Gisela's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Gisela demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Gisela grew up with three siblings. She had an older brother, Irvin and two younger brothers, Bruno and Udo. Gisela was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Gisela carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Gisela was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

As a young girl, Gisela was imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, Gisela could easily relate to other kids. In her spare time, she liked to ride her bike and play in the fields. However, to Gisela, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her many friends.

During her high school years, Gisela had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Gisela had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. Gisela was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Gisela as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner.

Always considered a “good” friend, Gisela sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Gisela always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Gisela’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Gisela would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Gisela was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. Later in life, she became friends with Darline Mesa and Diane Haynes.

On 1973 Gisela married Refugio Hernandez at the Santa Ana Courthouse of Santa Ana, California. Compassionate and devoted, Gisela worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that Refugio came first in Gisela’s book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered Refugio’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, Gisela did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Gisela was truly a person of empathy.

Gisela’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Gisela shared these values with her four children, three sons, James, David and Michael and one daughter, Christina. Gisela was also blessed with five grandchildren, Daniel, Matthew, Christopher, Matthew and Nataliet. Gisela related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Gisela experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was her primary occupation was as a food service worker at a hospital. She was employed for ten years by St. Joseph Hospital. Gisela always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Gisela took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Gisela was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Gisela continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Gisela took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were dancing, cooking and being a great housewife. Gisela enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Throughout her life, Gisela was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Gisela was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Gisela was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Gisela’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Gisela’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. Throughout her later years, Gisela was an active member of the Phoenix Club.

Gisela’s faith was important to her. She was a member of the Crystal Cathedral for ten years. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the congregation.

Gisela enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Gisela were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included traveling to Laughlin.

Gisela was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Gisela's favorite was Sandy, a German Shepherd/Lab Mix. They were best friends for fifteen years.

When Gisela’s retirement finally came in 1990, she stopped working due to an accident, she was well prepared. Being the focused and organized person that she was, Gisela had taken care to plan for this part of her life. When that time eventually arrived, Gisela knew exactly what she wanted to do. In retirement, she found new pleasure in being a grandmother. Even in retirement, Gisela continued to stay in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Gisela passed away on May 20, 2010 at her home in Riverside, California. Gisela fought a brave battle against cancer. She is survived by her children James, David, Christina and Michael and her grandchildren Christopher, Daniel, Matthew, Natalie, Matthew and her brother Bruno. Services were held at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Chapel. Gisela was laid to rest in Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park.

Throughout her life, Gisela was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Gisela leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Gisela Hernandez.