Tribute

Geertruida Helena “Gerry” Poelman: January 17, 1945 to February 20, 2012, a resident of Cranbrook, BC. After a brief and brave battle with cancer, Gerry passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

Born in Indonesia, the third child of twelve – 6 sisters and 3 brothers and her parents, in a little fishing town called Indramajoe , on the north coast of West Java. She grew up being schooled by Catholic nuns and after high school, worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – forest Engineering Institute of Indonesia.

In 1962, she met her husband Richard, and in 1965, both families immigrated to the Netherlands where they were married and started their beautiful family with the birth of four children, Daniel, Constance, Biance and Ingrid.

In February 1979, with her husband and four children they made another move to Canada and arrived in Calgary to start another chapter in their life adventure. In July of the same year they found their resting place in Cranbrook, BC which has been her family home ever since.

Over the years, Gerry became dedicated to St. Mary”s Church, she volunteered in all aspects of Church life, and was a dedicated parishioner that truly lived her faith. She spent summers visiting with her grandchildren and enjoying the beautiful gardens her husband Richard would grow.

Gerry will be greatly missed by her beloved husband Richard, their children Dan (Shannon), Constance (Scott), Bianca (Hamlet) and Ingrid (Pat), 9 grandchildren, 7 sisters, 3 brothers and a large number of extended family. She was predeceased by both parents.

The family would like to take the opportunity to thank Dr. Buchar, Dr. Lowden, the staff of the East Kootenay Regional Hospital and many friends that provided food, comfort and support in this difficult time.

A funeral mass will take place at St. Mary”s Roman Catholic Church, Cranbrook, BC on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 11:00 am.