Gerda was born in Bremen, Germany on April 13, 1937. When she was 15 she sailed on the “SS United States” ocean liner to immigrate to America with her mother, father and sister. At 18 she married the love of her life Reinhold “Sonny“ Pilz and moved to Lindenhurst, New York. Later she relocated to Eastport, Long Island near the water where her husband Sonny was a commercial fisherman. Gerda became the successful proprietor of a small seafood market for about 13 years where she filleted thousands of pounds of fish as well as making smoked fish, clam chowders, stuffed clams and an assortment of other wonderful cooked products. Her love of cooking was so great that she went to culinary school and expanded her horizons to include Chinese cooking. On Long Island her love of gardening and artistic endeavors began to flourish.
Upon retirement In 1996, they moved to Skowhegan, Maine where some of her eclectic talents blossomed. Her amazing cottage gardens were a thing of beauty to behold. Enrolling in adult education classes for oil painting she became an avid painter who won many ribbons in the Skowhegan County Fair. At the “Coffee House”, she would read her poetry and play her guitar to the enjoyment of all others who share their artistic endeavors. Traditionally on Christmas she would sing the first verse of Silent Night in German and then encourage others to join in with her and sing the remaining verses in English.
Every year during the second week of August she would have a gathering with all her friends who were from all walks of life. Many years ago she had decided that she did not want to wait to see them only at funerals but would rather enjoy the company of them while they were here on earth. Without Gerda, many of these people would never have had the opportunity to know one another. She always gave her all to others without ever expecting anything in return. In December 2019 Gerda relocated to Catawba, South Carolina to live with her daughter Susie. In the twilight of her years Gerda still endeavored to make and maintain friendships and continued in her journey with her program for a wonderful anniversary of 32 years. Gerda may no longer be with us but she will never be forgotten.
Gerda is survived by her daughter Susan Anneliese Worley and her husband Frank, her son Robert Pilz and wife Jane, her son Thomas Pilz and wife Patricia; her grandchildren Taylor, Rosaleigh, Johnathan, Melissa and Janine; great grandson Warren; nieces Lorraine and Dina and nephew Robert. Her husband the late Reinhold “Sonny“ Pilz and sister Hannelore “Honey“ Ahrens predeceased her by 18 years.
A celebration of life will be held in Maine on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 2 PM at the South Solon Meetinghouse. A future celebration of life will be held later in the year in New York. Notifications will be posted.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Pilz family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5