Anneliese Gerlich

February 13, 1921 – December 22, 2014

Anneliese Jesenek was the second of seven children born to Andreas Jesenek and Angela (née) Terlep in Duisburg-Meiderich,Germany and was baptised Anna Elisabeth Emilie in the ParishChurch of St. Matthias. Mom’s godmother was her mother’s younger sister, Tante Emilie, to whom Mom was always very

close. Both parents were immigrants to Germany from Austria-Hungary: her father was born in Gladomis, Steiermark (Austria)and her mother in Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Mom grew up during a difficult political and economic era in Germany’s history which cannot but have influenced her in ways that we can scarcely comprehend. Her parents were strong Catholics - two of her mother’s sisters were religious, and her mother had considered religious life before deciding on marriage as her vocation - a decision for which we are most grateful!

After completing her schooling, Mom decided to dedicate her life to nursing. She studied nursing in Münster, Germany for three years, completing the program in 1943. As a German Red Cross nurse she was assigned to a Luftwaffe unit with which she would serve in Russia and Italy. In May 1945 Mom was interned in an American prisoner of war camp in Kaufbeuren, Germany. Mom later worked in a hospital in Düsseldorf, taking a six month leave of absence to care for her mother who died in February 1952.

Mom immigrated to Canada in February 1953, working first as a nurse and later as a laboratory assistant in Montreal. She met Marius Gerlich who also worked at the same hospital in the spring of 1955 and they were married on August 6 of that year.

They moved to Edmonton, Alberta in May 1957 and family life began within the year. At intervals of twenty months Michael (Father Matthew OSB) (1958), Yvonne (1959), Mark-Peter (1961) and Andre (1963) were born. Mom’s life would thenceforth revolve around her children, and later on, her beloved

grandchildren. Mom was diligent in caring for her family, always ready to sacrifice herself. Her life would always be marked by her

service of others, both within and outside the family circle.

Mom had a refined aesthetic sense - her home was always tastefully decorated and she enjoyed embroidering and knitting.She had a special love for flowers and candles.

Dad was transferred to Abbotsford in January 1982. He and Mom spent almost seven years discovering and enjoying the climate and beauty of the Lower Mainland until Dad’s death on December 16,1988. Mom then had the joy of grandchildren living close to her for more than a decade. She moved into a townhouse in 1999 and was active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Ann’s Parish for a number of years.

Mom was most comfortable in relating to others one-to-one and had many deep and enduring friendships. She kept up correspondence with a number of far flung family and friends.Reserved by nature, Mom had a subtle sense of humour, and showed her love and concern more by service than by outward

shows of affection. She was independent, but in her later years appreciated the thoughtful assistance of family and friends when she could no longer manage everything on her own.

Mom’s health declined during her final years but she was ableto live on her own until her last few months. She spent her last five months in Mission Memorial Hospital and The Residence in Mission and was comforted by the prayers and Sacraments of the Catholic Church. She was delighted by the visits of her children and grandchildren and friends.

Everyone who knew Mom (Oma to her grandchildren) will miss her, but we are grateful for her love and sacrifices and assure her of our love and prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,

and may your perpetual light shine upon her.

Prayers will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 32550 Seventh Ave,Mission, BC.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 10:30 am followed by interment at Hazelwood Cemetery, Abbotsford, BC.