Geraldine Ivy Schawillie
(1931 to 2009)

The Christian Heritage and lifestyle of Abram and Helena Klassen is known and to a measure documented. What becomes interesting is the flavor which is added to the family with the inclusion of their children's spouses. Geraldine had parents who were very principled in their conduct. Her dad came as a 20 year old immigrant from Romania, with a Catholic religious background and her mother came from Minnisota, USA and had a Lutheran religious upbringing. Both found themselves drawn to an Evangelical Free Church, where they stayed until death. This was to be about Gerry. A gal who had fantastic memory, and had committed much to memory, such as hymns, scripture and various other items, all of which had a profound effect on her outlook and attitude as she faced the certainty of terminal cancer. She battled this disease with amazing calm and acceptance, and survived major surgery known as a "whippleprocedure".

Much of what she had committed to memory found its way in writings as notes on most any kind of paper and placed as inserts into books, magazines, cookbooks, and indeed recipe boxes.

She loved the seasons, and in the early winter of 2008, she would often ask, "Has it snowed yet?" One day I, John said yes it has, she asked "Can you bring me some?" So I took a large Glad bag and a soup ladle, filled it with snow and brought it to her. A note she had written, "It seems the simple things are often the most beautiful, freshly fallen snow, a bright star on top of a tree, the love of family".

In those desperate days of her illness, another note, "Be strong and take courage, do not fear, nor be dismayed, for the Lord will go before you and his light will show the way. Nothing can take you out of His hand, no, nothing can face you that you can't command. For the one who lives within you will be strong in you today."

When the day, January 1, 2009 came and she was admitted to the Christian Morrison Hospice in Mission, BC, the admitting nurse asked Gerry "How are you?" She replied, "I have a happy mind and a happy heart."

I, John was was blessed to have her in my life. Gerry became friends with Norma Williams whose husband was in the same ward at Royal Columbia Hospital. John and Norma were married Oct 1, 2010. We are both certain that Gerry would have approved.