Magdalena Gisler

Magdalena (Brall) Gisler, 77, of Port Alberni, died April 18, 2025, at her home in Port Alberni, British Columbia.She was born on Sept 3, 1947, to Irmgard and Karl Brall, in Minden Germany. Magdalena and the rest of her family immigrated to Canada and in 1953 chose Port Alberni as their new home.

She is survived by her husband Alois Gisler, her daughters Andrea Constans and Antonia Gisler (Kenton Good), her grandchildren Saskia Constans and Isla Good, her sister Regina Day (Terry) and brother Reinhard Brall, and extended family across Canada and Switzerland. Magdalena was predeceased by her parents, Irmgard and Karl Brall, and sister Renate (Brall) Geist, brother Karl Brall and brother-in-law Valerius Geist.

Magdalena made many friendships throughout her life and always treasured the many close friends she had during her time living and working in Calgary.

Magdalena lived a rich and fascinating life and was deeply loved by all that had the opportunity to meet her. In 1964, Magdalena left Port Alberni to live and travel in Germany. Eventually, she moved to London, England to attend the London College of Fashion. In London, she developed her life long love of designing and sewing clothes.

In 1971, she met the love of her life, Alois Gisler, and the two would marry in 1972. Both would start their married life in Calgary, Alberta where they would raise their two daughters. In 1991, Magdalena completed the Library Technician program at SAIT and then started her career at the University of Calgary Library where she would work in the Medical Library and the Document Delivery Services unit until her retirement in 2007.

Magdalena loved to hike in the Canadian rocky mountains with the Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country being a particularly favorite place. She was an avid reader and enjoyed mysteries and British comedies. Magdalena was an expert seamstress and loved to design and sew clothing for her family including a magnificent wedding dress she designed for Antonia’s wedding with fabric she hand selected in London, England. Her Canadian travel adventures with Alois were epic including many driving trips across the country. She particularly loved travelling in Newfoundland and throughout her travels was intrigued by the people she would meet and landscapes she would discover.

Magdalena had great affection for her 2 granddaughters and treasured the many times Saskia would visit from Europe. In recent years she loved visits with Isla where she would proudly draw attention to the deer and bears that often shared the backyard and the two would spend hours in the playhouse preparing pretend meals.

Magdalena will be deeply missed.

A celebration of Magdalena’s life is being planned for the summer of 2026.

Memorials or donations may be made to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (https://pier21.ca/your-donation)