Mar 28, 1936 – Feb 1, 2024
The Cammarata family is heartbroken to announce the death of our dear mother, Gisela Margaret Helene Cammarata (nee Waberski), who passed away peacefully on February 1st.
Gisela was born in Mannheim, Germany. She is survived by her three younger brothers Horst (Hannelore), Herbert (Christa) and Manfred (Ursula) whom she helped raise with her single parent mom in Berlin during WWII. Her brothers along with their spouses still reside in Germany.
Gisela was a hard working, wonderful woman who was beloved and respected by all who knew her. She was also a fun-loving person, with a quick wit and loved to play show and tell after going grocery shopping.
Gisela was trained as a paediatric nurse but left Germany to follow the love of her life Rosario who emigrated to Canada in 1963. She arrived the following year and they were married on April 24, 1965. Gisela is survived by her loving husband of 58 years who is currently in a long term care facility.
Her passion for life long learning coupled with her resilience and fortitude is the legacy she leaves behind for her family. Gisela leaves behind many Canadian family members.
Daughter Claudia Gordon (Lou); Son Markus (Priscilla) Daughter Assunta Whitworth (Farron) and Son Salvatore (Marie Line). Grandchildren: Zack, Gabrielle, Kaleb, Benjamin, Domenic, Francesca (Sam), Rosario, Chantal (Ryan), Jonathan (Yvette) and Robert (Erika). Her Great Grandchildren: Sophia, Kayden, Quinn and Nolan.
Gisela loved timeless classical theatre such as I Love Lucy, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, The Carol Burnett Show, The Lawrence Welk Show, Three’s Company, Keeping Up Appearances (“Mrs. Bucket”), AGT, Dancing with the Stars and, Friends. Her musical favourites were large orchestras, choirs and symphonies which included Andre Rieu and any performances by Andrea Boccelli of Luciano Pavarotti.
Gisela leaves us with a verse from one of her favourite songs by The Platters: Only You
“Only you can make all this world seem right,
Only you can make the darkness bright,
Only you and you alone can make my dreams come true,
And fill my heart with love for only you.”
Announcements for prayer and funeral services will be made at a later date. In lieu of flowers and donations please consider being kind and generous to one another. This is in the true spirit and to honour our mom who exemplified kindness and generosity.
Rest in peace Gisela. I never had the good fortune to meet you, but I have had the exquisite pleasure of spending time with the wonderful son that you raised so well. Thank you for putting your love into the world, as it now trickles down to me. You must have been a wonderful mum, and your legacy will live on in those that remember you so fondly. Salvi, thank you for taking the best parts of what your mom shared with you and continuing to share them with the people around you. You are a spectacular human being, and I am so sorry for your loss.
To Salvi and the Cammarata family: I am sending all of my love to you, you are in my heart, I wish you comfort during these difficult times.
Our heartfelt condolences and strength as you navigate through this loss. Our thoughts are with you today and always. Sending love and light your way!
Salvi and Line. Our thoughts are with you as you celebrate the life of your mother. May you have all the peace and love you need at this time.
Salvi, Line & family;
Our hearts are saddened by your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Jeff & Lorae Ryan & family
Our hearts go out to the Cammarata family during this difficult time. We never had the privilege of knowing Gisela personally, but know from the strength, warmth and kindness that exudes from Salvi and Marcus, that she must have been an incredible woman.
As you navigate through this challenging time, may you find solace and comfort in the memories you shared. May her strength, wisdom, quick wit and unconditional love guide you each day.
Know that we are committed to fulfilling your request for kindness and generosity. Her spirit will continue to shine brightly in through the actions of those she touched!
With heartfelt sympathy,
Nathaly and Ron
To Salvi and the family: Claudette and I assure you that our thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult times. Knowing that your mom is resting in heaven where there is no pain is recomforting. She has had a good life on this Earth and will continue to protect you from above.
Our condolences to Salvi and the family, our prayers are with you all. We met your mom at Chantal’s wedding and fell in love with her. She is such a beautiful lady, full of joy and happiness. She will be sorely missed.
Gisela was my friend and one of the kindest people i knew.
I fondly remember standing up for your parents at their wedding in 1965.Although thousands of miles separated us we stayed connected over the phone and last spoke a week before Gisela’s passing.Please give Rosario a big HUG from me.
Joseph Manganaro
91 years old
Caltanisetta, Sicily
Dear Rosario,Salvatore,Assunta, Markus & Claudia.
Our thoughts are with you all as you gather to honour your wonderful mom Gisela on her birthday.It’s been many years since our paths have crossed but i will never forget the
KINDNESS your parents showed our family growing up in the 60s.
Yolanda Paradis ( child #2)
Salvi – Don and I are sending you all the love and light as you gather with your family and friends, sharing memories and stories of your mom. She sounds like such a special person. Love you, friend. xo
My heart goes out to Salvi and the family on the loss of this lovely woman, their matriarch and mother. The loss of a parent is a lifelong loss though comfort is found in memory and in their reflection seen in the mirror and in the evidence of their impact on one’s own life and that seen in the generations that follow. My prayers are and have been for your comfort in this difficult time and that the Lord’s grace and peace be ever abundant as you call upon it.
I didn’t know Gisele but had we met, I feel like we would have watched a lot of TV together! Her favorite shows were some of mine as well.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I know how loved your mom was and how proud she must be of her children. She sounds like she had such a joyful spirit!
May her soul rest in peace.
Much love to the whole family,
Salvi and Line, heartfelt condolences go to you and your family. Please know that you are in our thoughts during this time of sorrow. May the memories of her love and the time you shared bring you solace and comfort in the days ahead.
If a ray of sunshine could be embodied in the human spirit, then this beautiful soul would have been it. She was kindness, passion and humour all rolled up into a fiesty little body that could light up a room. Since the moment I met her, she made space for me in her family and accepted me wholeheartedly and unconditionally. I was blessed to call her mother-in-law and privileged to call her “mama”. To the family she leaves behind, you have my heartfelt love and support forever. She touched my life in ways I am still discovering and I will continue to uphold the gift she left me by protecting and loving the ones she loved most.
My heartfelt condolences to
Claudia and family. Your mom was a beautiful, sweet, loving, kind lady who always had the brightest smile. She will be dearly missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sending luv and hugs to you all.
My condolences to Claudia , Lou and family…. Mrs Cammarata will be dearly missed. She was beautiful inside and out. I loved her so much. She always made me laugh and loved listening to her stories. RIP Mrs Cammarata. I promise to take care of Claudia.
Sending our Heartfelt Deepest Condolences to all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your Mom was a beautiful person who brought a smile at every occasion that will forever be remembered & missed dearly. May you find comfort in the cherished everlasting memories .
If roses grow in Heaven Lord,
Please pick a bunch for me. Place them in my mother’s arms
and tell her they are from me. Tell her I love her and miss her, and
when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek, and hold her for a while.
Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day. But there is an ache within my heart
that will never go away.
Schlaf schön mutti!
With all my love,
Claudia
Words will definitely fall short of expressing our sorrow for your loss, nonetheless, we hope these words find you surrounded by strength and compassion. The legacy Zia Gisela leaves behind will never disappear. She was a wonderful wife, an incredible mother , and a thoughtful aunt. She touched the lives of many people and she will be remembered fondly for the memories that we shared forever live in our hearts.
We are so sorry to hear about your moms passing, she was a wonderful lady and we spent many great times with you family in Avonmore!
Sherri & Bill Henderson
In deep sadness and pain,we would like to Express our Condolences to you Our Thoughts are with you.
In tieferTrauer und Schmerz möchten wir Euch unser
Mitgefühl bekunden.Wenn Die Sonne des Lebens untergeht,leuchten die Sterne der Erinnerung.”Die Erinnerung ist ein Fenster,durch das wir immer Gisela sehen können.In Liebe Onkel Horst und Tante Hannelore
Tschüss Mutti. Schlaf schön. Vielen dank für alles was du für mich geopfert hast. Mit Liebe, Salvi