Gisela (Brinkmann) Cryderman

At the end of a long, extraordinary life, Gisela left it the way she had always lived, on her own terms. She is survived by her daughter Ester (Peter), her two grandchildren Amelia and Sebastian (Pauline) and her three great-grandchildren Francesca, Leya and Owen. 

Born in Berlin, Germany, she left her career as a professional dancer touring Europe in 1957 to make a new life for herself and her family in true pioneering style, in what were then the backwoods of Little River.

Fearless, feisty, and funny, she was an exceptionally strong, independent woman. None of the hardships she encountered ever dented her positive outlook. She never gave up or gave in. Having known hunger in her youth, she made it her mission in life to feed everyone with an unending supply of “goodies” she stockpiled.

Thanks in large part to the many loyal friendships she inspired, she spent the happiest years of her life in the Comox Valley. She would often say: “I live in paradise!”

Gisela has gone to another paradise now and while we mourn the loss of our Mom/Omi, we also celebrate her indomitable spirit soaring free. We will always love and remember her, and we are grateful and proud to be her family. 

We thank the kind staff and care aides at Casa Loma, who provided Gisela with a safe, warm haven for the last three years of her life.