Obituary for Susanna "Susan" Elter
Elter, Susanna “Susan” (Eidenmueller Gissing)
January 13, 1941 – July 29, 2022
Passed away peacefully in Tavistock, Ontario. Lovingly remembered by her three children and their families whom she called her greatest blessing: Monika (Andrew) with children Patrick (Tess), Andrea (Rodney) and Matthew (Kayleen, and their son Lancelot); Robert “Gus” (Laureen) with children Margaret (Ben) and Peter; Richard with children Sydney and Noah. Beloved sister of Elisabeth and sister-in-law of Carmen. Also remembered by former husband Gary Gissing, extended family and many friends. Predeceased by parents Philipp (1945) and Margaretha (1996), brother Philipp (1992) and husband Nick Elter (2011).
Born Susanna Eidenmueller in the ethnic German community of Altker, Yugoslavia (now Zmajevo, Serbia), she and her family became refugees of the Second World War. In the early 1950s, Margaretha and the children immigrated to Queens, New York. Susan thrived in her vibrant neighbourhood of Ridgewood and excelled at her schools, P.S. 81 and Bushwick High School, where she won awards in History and Public Speaking. Susan graduated in 1959 in Commercial Studies and received Honours in Physical Fitness.
Following high school she recalls exciting times working for an entertainment insurance firm in Manhattan where she met movie stars and enjoyed free tickets to Broadway shows.
Susan married Gerhardt (Gary) Gissing in 1962. In 1969, the family moved to Kitchener and later Bridgeport and Maryhill. Susan restarted her career as an administrative assistant, working for several firms before joining VIA Rail. She enjoyed the challenge of adapting to new technologies and had a passion for learning. She was not afraid of change.
Following the end of her first marriage, Susan lived and worked in various locations in southern Ontario before returning to Kitchener. In 1999 she married Nick. Following retirement she was able to devote more time to sewing, quilting, and volunteering in the local German-Canadian community. In 2020 she moved to Tavistock to be near her group of quilting friends. She was a gracious hostess but never stood on ceremony. Many enjoyed coffee and lively conversation around her kitchen table in a tradition that went back to tiny apartments in Queens. She remained a voracious reader and lover of movies and music till the end.
At Susan’s request, a private family memorial service was held. Cremation has taken place. She will be interred beside her mother in the Woodland Cemetery in Kitchener at a future date. The family expresses heartfelt thanks to Stratford General Hospital and St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital in St. Mary’s, Ontario where she received excellent care.
Photo is of Susan's highschool graduation portrait from Bushwick Highschool, June 1959.
Visit www.henrywalser.com for Susan's memorial.
January 13, 1941 – July 29, 2022
Passed away peacefully in Tavistock, Ontario. Lovingly remembered by her three children and their families whom she called her greatest blessing: Monika (Andrew) with children Patrick (Tess), Andrea (Rodney) and Matthew (Kayleen, and their son Lancelot); Robert “Gus” (Laureen) with children Margaret (Ben) and Peter; Richard with children Sydney and Noah. Beloved sister of Elisabeth and sister-in-law of Carmen. Also remembered by former husband Gary Gissing, extended family and many friends. Predeceased by parents Philipp (1945) and Margaretha (1996), brother Philipp (1992) and husband Nick Elter (2011).
Born Susanna Eidenmueller in the ethnic German community of Altker, Yugoslavia (now Zmajevo, Serbia), she and her family became refugees of the Second World War. In the early 1950s, Margaretha and the children immigrated to Queens, New York. Susan thrived in her vibrant neighbourhood of Ridgewood and excelled at her schools, P.S. 81 and Bushwick High School, where she won awards in History and Public Speaking. Susan graduated in 1959 in Commercial Studies and received Honours in Physical Fitness.
Following high school she recalls exciting times working for an entertainment insurance firm in Manhattan where she met movie stars and enjoyed free tickets to Broadway shows.
Susan married Gerhardt (Gary) Gissing in 1962. In 1969, the family moved to Kitchener and later Bridgeport and Maryhill. Susan restarted her career as an administrative assistant, working for several firms before joining VIA Rail. She enjoyed the challenge of adapting to new technologies and had a passion for learning. She was not afraid of change.
Following the end of her first marriage, Susan lived and worked in various locations in southern Ontario before returning to Kitchener. In 1999 she married Nick. Following retirement she was able to devote more time to sewing, quilting, and volunteering in the local German-Canadian community. In 2020 she moved to Tavistock to be near her group of quilting friends. She was a gracious hostess but never stood on ceremony. Many enjoyed coffee and lively conversation around her kitchen table in a tradition that went back to tiny apartments in Queens. She remained a voracious reader and lover of movies and music till the end.
At Susan’s request, a private family memorial service was held. Cremation has taken place. She will be interred beside her mother in the Woodland Cemetery in Kitchener at a future date. The family expresses heartfelt thanks to Stratford General Hospital and St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital in St. Mary’s, Ontario where she received excellent care.
Photo is of Susan's highschool graduation portrait from Bushwick Highschool, June 1959.
Visit www.henrywalser.com