Obituary of Ida Gaebel (née Hase)

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Ida on February 3, 2021, at the age of 96.  Loving mother to Ralf Scheumann (predeceased) and Alfred Gaebel, she will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. She lived a long and fulfilling life, despite overcoming numerous hardships, from having to flee her childhood home in Poland with only the things she could carry, to narrowly surviving the horrors of war in Germany, and emigrating to Canada to begin a new life. She successfully raised two children on her own, seeing both of them graduate from university, while working as a nurse's aide and personal support worker in hospitals and care-homes in Québec, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. She taught her children through her own actions to help and respect others, to always try your best and never give up, to believe in God and a better future, and to recognize the beauty in the world around us. She will always be remembered for her big heart, her never-ending courage, her independent spirit, her gentle sense of humour, and her sweet smile. With deepest gratitude to the wonderful staff at Granite Ridge Care Community in Stittsville, who helped to make the last six years of her life a happy and pleasant experience by surrounding her with much love and support.  Due to the current circumstances around the pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a more suitable time in the future. Friends may leave condolences at ottawacitizen.remembering.ca. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Ottawa Food Bank.