Obituary for Gertrude "Jean" Gabor (Norman)
Gabor, Gertrude “Jean” (nee Norman)
Peacefully, at Lisaard House, Cambridge, on Saturday July 22, 2023, of Ayr in her 92nd year.
Beloved wife to Leslie; loved mom to Stephen (Andrea); David (Fran), Julia Dietrich (Dave), and Daniel (Penny); cherished grandma to Alannah (Tyler), Megan (Jake), Ryan, Madeline, Caleb, Rachel, Jordan, Sophia, and Benjamin; dear sister to Art Norman (Norma), and Marion Neil. Also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends may call at the Ayr Chapel, Wm. Kipp Funeral Home, 183 Northumberland St. Ayr on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held at Calvary Pentecostal Church (beside funeral home) on Thursday at 11:00 AM. Interment Ayr Cemetery.
The family requests donations to Lisaard House Hospice. Jean wished that everyone perform an act of kindness in her memory.
Online condolences and donations may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting WM. Kipp 519 632 8228.
Jean grew up in the Samuelson Steet and Mill Creek Road area of Galt, Ontario. She worked briefly at Savage Shoe factory and also helped her father with a store in the front of their house, Norman's Lucky Dollar. When her family sold the store, Jean desired work that was more fulfilling, so she went to the Galt Hospital to inquire about a job. She landed an opportunity as a nurse's assistant. As nursing accreditation grew more formal, Jean was encouraged to go to Freeport for training and graduated Valedictorian of her class. Upon completion of her education, she resumed her work serving in the Operating Room and the Emergency Room at the Galt Hospital. She put her working career on hold for 17 years to raise a family, returning to Cambridge Memorial Hospital in 1981. She served in Long Term Care where her kindness was appreciated by patients and co-workers until her retirement in 1996.
Jean had so many cherished life-long friends and spiritual sisters. These special bonds date back 70+ years and it would be impossible to name them all. In late 1960, a mutual friend introduced her to Leslie Gabor on a blind date. This began a romance that would last for these 60+ years. They were married on September 20th, 1963. They had four children over 6 years. Jean was an exceptional mother showering her children with grace and kindness. Her strong belief in them propelled them forward in their lives. In September of 1967, Les and Jean made a successful bid to purchase the Reidsville school property that was up for auction. The renovation of and care for this formerly one-room school became a lifetime project. The home became the gathering place for many neighbourhood children. As her own children grew up, she widened her embrace to lovingly include spouses. In later years, she took great pride and joy in her 9 grandchildren, doting on each one with kindness and offering to them the same listening ear.
The real centre of Jean's life was her faith in Jesus. She experienced a miraculous conversion in the late 1950's that reshaped the course of her life. Jean and Les served faithfully for years within their Church families at the Church of the Nazarene, Calvary Pentecostal, Cornerstone Pentecostal and, more recently, Calvary Church in Ayr. Jean provided much care for so many through her faithful listening and prayer. She taught Women's Bible Studies for many years and took a leadership role in the Women's Aglow ministry. Even In retirement, she continued to serve in the Church, teaching the Bible and caring for the struggling. She cared for the needy by knitting blankets, hats (Jeanie-beanies), scarves and sweaters for people in the local area and overseas. The evidence of God’s work in her life was frequently heard in her common greeting, “I am blessed and highly favoured.” Truly her life was marked by non-judgmental acceptance of all and selfless acts of kindness.
In recent months, Jean struggled with respiratory issues finally succumbing on July 22nd, 2023 with her family gathering around her. She was more than ready to go “home” and be with Jesus.
From her faithful life, we have all benefitted greatly.
Miss Me But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love we once shared;
Miss me but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the Master's plan,
A step to the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deed,
Miss me but let me go.
-Christine Georgina Rossetti
Peacefully, at Lisaard House, Cambridge, on Saturday July 22, 2023, of Ayr in her 92nd year.
Beloved wife to Leslie; loved mom to Stephen (Andrea); David (Fran), Julia Dietrich (Dave), and Daniel (Penny); cherished grandma to Alannah (Tyler), Megan (Jake), Ryan, Madeline, Caleb, Rachel, Jordan, Sophia, and Benjamin; dear sister to Art Norman (Norma), and Marion Neil. Also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends may call at the Ayr Chapel, Wm. Kipp Funeral Home, 183 Northumberland St. Ayr on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held at Calvary Pentecostal Church (beside funeral home) on Thursday at 11:00 AM. Interment Ayr Cemetery.
The family requests donations to Lisaard House Hospice. Jean wished that everyone perform an act of kindness in her memory.
Online condolences and donations may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting WM. Kipp 519 632 8228.
Jean grew up in the Samuelson Steet and Mill Creek Road area of Galt, Ontario. She worked briefly at Savage Shoe factory and also helped her father with a store in the front of their house, Norman's Lucky Dollar. When her family sold the store, Jean desired work that was more fulfilling, so she went to the Galt Hospital to inquire about a job. She landed an opportunity as a nurse's assistant. As nursing accreditation grew more formal, Jean was encouraged to go to Freeport for training and graduated Valedictorian of her class. Upon completion of her education, she resumed her work serving in the Operating Room and the Emergency Room at the Galt Hospital. She put her working career on hold for 17 years to raise a family, returning to Cambridge Memorial Hospital in 1981. She served in Long Term Care where her kindness was appreciated by patients and co-workers until her retirement in 1996.
Jean had so many cherished life-long friends and spiritual sisters. These special bonds date back 70+ years and it would be impossible to name them all. In late 1960, a mutual friend introduced her to Leslie Gabor on a blind date. This began a romance that would last for these 60+ years. They were married on September 20th, 1963. They had four children over 6 years. Jean was an exceptional mother showering her children with grace and kindness. Her strong belief in them propelled them forward in their lives. In September of 1967, Les and Jean made a successful bid to purchase the Reidsville school property that was up for auction. The renovation of and care for this formerly one-room school became a lifetime project. The home became the gathering place for many neighbourhood children. As her own children grew up, she widened her embrace to lovingly include spouses. In later years, she took great pride and joy in her 9 grandchildren, doting on each one with kindness and offering to them the same listening ear.
The real centre of Jean's life was her faith in Jesus. She experienced a miraculous conversion in the late 1950's that reshaped the course of her life. Jean and Les served faithfully for years within their Church families at the Church of the Nazarene, Calvary Pentecostal, Cornerstone Pentecostal and, more recently, Calvary Church in Ayr. Jean provided much care for so many through her faithful listening and prayer. She taught Women's Bible Studies for many years and took a leadership role in the Women's Aglow ministry. Even In retirement, she continued to serve in the Church, teaching the Bible and caring for the struggling. She cared for the needy by knitting blankets, hats (Jeanie-beanies), scarves and sweaters for people in the local area and overseas. The evidence of God’s work in her life was frequently heard in her common greeting, “I am blessed and highly favoured.” Truly her life was marked by non-judgmental acceptance of all and selfless acts of kindness.
In recent months, Jean struggled with respiratory issues finally succumbing on July 22nd, 2023 with her family gathering around her. She was more than ready to go “home” and be with Jesus.
From her faithful life, we have all benefitted greatly.
Miss Me But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love we once shared;
Miss me but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the Master's plan,
A step to the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deed,
Miss me but let me go.
-Christine Georgina Rossetti