It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our wife, mother and grandmother, Gerrie Wise.
Gerrie lost her ongoing battle with cancer on November 27th, 2021, at the age of 76. She leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Jerry, as well as her sons Jim (Autumn) of Chilliwack, Peter (Joanna) of Regina, and grandchildren Emma, Evie and Connor as well as her sister Daisy.
Gerrie was born in Camrose, Alberta in 1945 and moved frequently until her family settled down in Saanich, B.C. where she attended Colquitz Elementary School and Mount View High School. Gerrie completed a diploma at UBC Business School and embarked on a career in corporate banking. It was on the job that she met fellow banker, Jerry, in 1966 who she wed the next year.
In 1969, Gerrie and Jerry purchased recreational land on Mayne Island on which they built their first cottage in 1973. This became their beloved second home.
With the birth of their two sons in 1981 and 1983, Gerrie retired from the corporate world and became a full-time mom. The family lived on an acreage in Langley for 25 years that was also home to numerous family cats, ducks, and Gerrie’s favourite, horses.
Gerrie was always ready to help the community and in 1988 joined the Langley RCMP Detachment as a civilian employee. During her 20-year tenure, Gerrie was tasked with the massive undertaking of introducing the Block Watch program to the Township. In 2003 she was presented the Anthony J. Hulme Lifetime Award of Distinction for her key role in local and provincial crime prevention and safety strategies. Always generous with her time, Gerrie served as the President of BC Crime Prevention Association and on the Board of Directors with the Otter Co-op. In 2008 Gerrie was honoured as the Chair of the Federated Co-op Annual General Meeting in Regina.
Gerrie and Jerry retired from business life in 2008 and moved full-time to Mayne Island. However, Gerrie was not ready to sit still. She became the Mayne Island Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and worked tirelessly at growing and professionalizing the operation for the next 10 years.
Gerrie was a voracious reader, a gifted seamstress, a great listener and a proud mother and grandmother. She lived a full, loving and giving life.
A celebration of Gerrie’s life will be held in the Spring. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Lori McBeth
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Rhonda Lillard Gerrie was a kind and loving person with such a warm and generous spirit. I liked her immensely from the moment we met. She and Jerry and I rejoiced when their son Peter and my daughter Joanna married and we were overjoyed at the birth of our mutual granddaughter, Evie. How I wish she could have had many more years with the entire family she loved so much. My deepest condolences to Jerry, Jim, and Peter and to everyone who loved her. May she rest in peace.
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Susan Salmon I am so sorry to hear of your loss Jerry, Jim and Peter. Gerrie was a wonderful person and you were all extremely lucky to have her in your lives as was I. I am sure you will miss her very much. I have many, many memories of all the time we spent helping at FARMER DELL preschool when all our boys were very young and of the times our paths crossed at Beta Sigma Phi functions.
Gerrie lived a very fulfilling life!
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Mary Beth Braidwood Very sad news. I enjoyed working with Gerrie at Langley Detachment. Had lots of good chats up in the lunchroom and Gerrie always had interesting stories to tell. She will be greatly missed. My condolences to Jerry and their family.
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Sandy & Bill Archer We are very sad to hear of Gerrie’s passing.
Gerrie was our active & dear Sorority Sister, for decades.
Gerrie was always caring, generous, smart as a whip & truly genuine,
Very Special Memories of weekends at Mayne’s Wise Sorority Getaway!
I wish I could hear her wonderful laugh & give her a big hug again.
Gerri, you will always be in our memories and in our hearts.
Our Sincere Sympathy to you Jerry, Jim & Peter and families
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Ursula Maxwell-Lewis This is truly sad news. Gerrie was also a valued member of Beta Sigma Phi ( Langley chapters) before moving to Mayne Island.
A treasured memory is of a Mayne Island Getaway when Gerrie hosted our Alpha Rho Master sorority sisters for a wonderful weekend. We had so much fun! May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her. Very sincere condolences to Jerry and her family.
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Kim Kramer (Sherstone) I had the pleasure of getting to know Gerrie when we worked together at Langley Det. many years ago. She was a smart and kind lady and always offered a good ear and advice. I have fond memories of Gerrie. She had a wonderful spirit and was always so generous with her time.
Sending big hugs to Jerry and family.
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Derrick Gravelle Our condolences to Jerry and his family.
I worked with Gerrie at the Langley Detachment. She and I attended a raucous community meeting that could have gone south really quickly. Gerrie and I got people calmed down and we listened to their story.
Gerrie was positive, upbeat and had a great sense of humour.
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Lynn Acheson Gerrie was always upbeat and happy at work. She was like the Energizer Bunny.. always on the go. I enjoyed working with her and spending time at her Mayne Island home. My condolences to her family.
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Lisa Fletchet I have warm memories of Gerrie and her enthusiasm and love of her boys. We were also fortunate to spend a weekend on Mayne in exchange for a stained glass window. Gerrie had tons of energy and a great laugh. May her family have good memories to help them through their grief. Condolences. Lisa Fletcher
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James Elphick Such sad news to hear of Gerrie’s passing. I served many years alongside of her on the Otter Co-op board in Aldergrove and I credit her with being a key member during that time of expansion and growth and I could always rely upon her sound judgement and business knowledge which greatly contributed to the success that the Co-op enjoys today. My condolences to Jerry and her children.
Gerrie was a wonderful & caring friend. We spent many days together volunteering at school & for the RCMP. I can hear her laughter when I think of her. We shared many laughs & good times while our children grew. Our condolences to Jerry, Jim & Peter.