Gisela Frieda Beckett (Anlauf)
1927-2014
GISELA FRIEDA BECKETT (ANLAUF)
10th October 1927 to 30th October 2014
Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Sister - Gisela passed away at the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville, Nova Scotia, on Thursday, October 30th, 2014.
A gregarious and fun loving person, Gisela lived a full and well traveled life. Born in Mittenwald, Germany, she was the oldest daughter of a family of nine children.
A short-lived marriage gave her a son (Juergen) whom she raised as a single mother in post-WWII Europe.
Gisela met the love of her life in a British military man, Nigel (Joe) Beckett. They married in 1959 and Joe's beloved 17th/21st Lancers Regiment became an important part of her life. They moved to Hong Kong and there welcomed the arrival of their two daughters (Marianne and Brigitte).
Joe's retirement from the military in 1970 brought the family from Lulworth, Dorset, to Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, England. Gisela managed to be a hands-on mother to her daughters while also working as a lecturer at the University of Southampton and as a teacher at La Sagesse Convent School in Romsey, England.
Sadly, Joe passed away much too soon, making Gisela a widow in 1993.
In 1995, she was ready for another move and found a new home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, close to family members. She lived there until, at the ripe, ‘young’ age of 80, the travel bug caught her once more and she emigrated to Canada in 2006, settling with family in Port Williams, Nova Scotia.
Gisela enjoyed making new friends wherever she went and truly bringing joy to everyone she met.
An avid and adventurous cook, Gisela passed many of her skills on to her siblings, children and grandchildren. She was the life of the house and radiated a comfort and sense of belonging. She was welcoming to everyone, her laugh was infectious and melodic and she would inevitably part ways with a great big hug and a quick whisper of "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!".
Gisela is survived by her siblings Brigitte Burgholte, Mechtildt Mehra, Richard Anlauf, Volkard Anlauf and Gundo Anlauf (Anita).
She leaves her adoring children, Juergen Riedel (Louise), Halifax, NS, Marianne Hosey (Paul), Lurcy-Levis, France and Brigitte Daniels (Simon), Port Williams, NS and her beloved grandchildren, Joanne Kirby (Adam), Maike Parker (Kevin), Gemma Driver (Russell), Rich Hosey, Katie Daniels, Rosie Daniels and great grandchildren, Noah, Olive, Emma, and Dillon.
Mum, Nanny, Oma... the sound of your laughter will continue to give us comfort; the warmth of your love will always live in our hearts and your unquenchable spirit will give us the strength to master our loss.
Remembrance in life's passing is the truest form of love one can give, for a memory should never die and a love should live forever in the heart of another.
She was;
Elegant and generous with a generous laugh, rich in love, that made me feel welcome. Her home was always full of interesting things accompanied by interesting stories. I loved staying over at her house or going on exciting trips, sat on a pillow in the back of her car, eating eclairs and hard sweets.
She taught me how to butter my bread with love, to live life fully and richly, not in terms of wealth, it's hard to quantify the currency she would have me use. I suppose it was wit, cultural experiences, dedication, kindness, courtesy, openness, frankness, joy and affection.
To me, she was always fun. With a packet of Maryland cookies and the intention always to help me open my eyes to something new. Her cooking was great, wholesome and hearty. Her hugs were always genuine.
Her unfaltering character and strength made her a formidable opponent but a desirable co-conspirator. She listened to me and made me feel like my point of view was not just important but cherished, often when many others would ignore me.
She helped me learn to read, write, sing, read music, speak intelligently, how to tell people that you love them and then show it.
For that I will always be grateful. Thank you Nanny.
All my love from Gemma
(written by Gemma Hosey, granddaughter)
Mum
I want to thank you for being such a wonderful Mother in Law.
When I married your son, I had no way of knowing what a special role you would play in our lives. From the beginning, you had a wonderful talent for being supportive and helpful.
You never were the kind of Mother-in-Law who interfered.
Sometimes, when I talk to other people, I realize just how lucky I was, to have had you as my Mother-in-Law.
When JoJo and Maike were born, you were delighted to become a grandparent and they loved visiting with you. You were always so loving, kind and full of fun. Always ready to have a Piccolo sekt or watch a game of tennis.
At the cottage you loved to watch the humming birds and other birds. You were always fascinated by them.
In the last weeks when you “ put on a great show” of knowing us, or not knowing us, you were always ready with a smile or sometimes a question.
Usually as I left, you would give me a huge hug and whisper “ Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”
Mum, I'm going to miss you. Ich werde Dich vermissen, Mum.
(written by Louise Riedel, daughter-in-law)