Gertrude Schultz Schott

Gertrude had many variations of her Christian name. As a child she was known as Tutti, in her teenage years Trudi or Trude, in adult life Gerdi, Gerdie, Gertie, Gerda, Gerta, Gerti, Gerdy, but never Gertrud!

Gerdi completed her high school education and then attended trade school specializing in accounting and bookkeeping . She was born in Iserlohn a small city of approximately 100,000 located in the province of north Rhine Westphalia which lies on the edge of a mostly forested area known as the Sauerland in Midwest Germany. It is quite picturesque.

Gerdi met her future husband Karl Schott aka Charlie Schott in 1946 and they went out for 7 years before getting married in April 1952. The same month they immigrated to Toronto. After living in downtown Toronto for 2 years they purchased a house in 1954 in Scarborough and lived there until 1963. At the time Gerdi was employed as a bookkeeper with Supertest a company located in downtown Toronto until 1958. Their son Perry was born in 1959. Her husband Karl was a trained dental technician and was employed by the same dentist for 20 years until 1972.

They purchased a new bigger house in 1963 in Scarborough and resided there for 9 years. Gerdi devoted her time to raising their son Perry and remained a housewife.

After 1972 for a period of 6 years the family moved to Iserlohn after a great job opportunity became available for Karl who renewed his job contract until 1978 when the family again returned to live in Scarborough and their son Perry commenced university eventually graduating from law school and became a self employed lawyer.

Gerdi surprised everyone in 1991 when she actively returned to the workforce by working as a receptionist in a part time capacity for her own family doctor for a period of 2 years when unfortunately her employer himself was stricken with cancer and had to close down his medical practice. Karl had retired in 1990 and found it amusing that Gerdi now was working again and became the breadwinner!

Gerdi & Karl celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in April 1977 and their 50th golden wedding anniversary in 2002. Gerdi and son were heartbroken after the loss of Karl in October 2004 who died of multiple myoma, a rare form of cancer after a 2 year struggle.

Gerdi unfortunately did have long standing medical issues suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. But she aged gracefully.

Gerdi loved classical music and records were played every day in the household as both Karl and eventually their son became avid record collectors. Karl visited Sam the Record Man and A&A records practically every day during his working career. Whilst still in relatively good health Gerdi & Karl enjoyed attending classical music performances at Roy Thomson Hall. Unfortunately over the last 10 years her mobility was greatly reduced and she regretted not being able to attend the mostly sold out gala performances of Andre Rieu in Toronto as there was so much walking required just to get to your seats inside the dome.

Gerdi was an avid craftsmaker in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint and made numerous quilts sweaters and other items of clothing. She was also an excellent cook and everyone enjoyed her cakes and other tasty desserts.

Gerdi was also an avid bowler and participated in the Cedarbrae Mall 5 pin bowling league for over 20 years until Karl took ill in 2002-03. She also enjoyed playing some tennis, cycling and getting together to play scrabble with her friends during the week.

Gerdi was hospitalized in October 2013 with pneumonia but made a courageous recovery only to discover that her kidney functioning was further compromised and she was put on dialysis. She was then transferred into Bridgepoint hospital in mid November for rehabilitation and she made great strides to regain her mobility and was anxious to return to her own home which occurred in late December when she was discharged.

Gerdi will be remembered for her kind disposition. She will be dearly missed by her son Perry, family members living abroad and her friends and neighbours.