Olga Mercedes Gatt

Olga Gatt,(Zitzewitz) age 94, born on 1 November 1930, devoted wife of the late Francis Charles Gatt, died peacefully after a brief illness on 16 October 2025 at Meadowbrook Village Nursing Home in Escondido, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo Herman Ernst Zitzewitz and Maria Mercedes Ducommun Zitzewitz, along with her sisters Marguerite Baughman and Erika Lunsford and her brothers Ernest and Leo Zitzewitz.

Born in Colón, Canal Zone, Panama, Olga was the 4th sibling of six in number. Olga attended American schools and was fluent in both Spanish and English. At age 16, after WWII, Olga and her family moved to Detroit, Michigan. She met and married Francis Charles Gatt. Moving to California in 1959, Olga was a dedicated home-maker. Frank worked for United Parcel Service and spent fifteen years in the Los Angeles area. Frank was transferred to Austin, Texas, where they lived until Frank’s retirement in 1986.

Olga moved to Vista, California, in North San Diego County, after Frank’s passing to be closer to family members. She enjoyed helping her sister and brother-in-law in their family business of the Vista Certified Farmers’ Market. An avid traveler all her adult life, Olga enjoyed trips and cruises all over the world with family members and friends. She also enjoyed yearly trips to Las Vegas with her sister, Ingrid.

At her home in Vista, Olga enjoyed the company of her neighbors and the weekly Bingo games at the Elks Club. She spent many years volunteering at her local Parish, St. Francis of Assisi. She was godmother to Norma Orona, Carol Gunderson and Elizabeth Carillo.

Olga will be remembered for her wonderful love of her family and friends, her strong Catholic faith and her continued support for all those who surrounded her. Olga’s legacy of love will live on through the many lives she touched.

Olga is survived by her sister Ingrid Zitzewitz, of Detroit, Michigan, her brother-in-law Victor Gatt (Maria Stella), her sister-in-law Mary Mallia (Emanuel), also of Michigan and many nephews, nieces, grandnieces and nephews, along with a great-grandnephew and a great-grandniece.

Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi in Vista, California, on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 at 1:00 PM. Internment will take place at Capital Memorial Parks Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

In lieu of donations, please offer a kind word or gesture to someone you love.