From: Bakerview Community Crematorium & Celebration Centre Staff

Bakerview Community Crematorium & Celebration Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends.

From: Shelley Hammond

I am so shocked to hear of the passing of Gisele. I had the privilege of meeting her in 1981 and spent many times getting into antics along with a couple of other single girls. She was an inspiration being on the 1st group of female correctional officers. She & them opened & lead the way so that me could come along in the 1st coed training group. She shared her knowledge; humour; love of life; animals; culture; motorcycles..& it was always fun to run into her or get to work with her many times. Thank you Gisele for coming into my life. You made it a nicer place to be & gave me wonderful memories of you. dam we were the same age/ too young to go! RIP my friend! Much sympathy to her family.

From: surge

I met Gisele when she came from Kamloops and she was one of the 10 women who were on the first group of women. Gisele & I spent a lot of time together, at the YM/YWCA. Gisele also moved in with me and my room mate at that time in our house. She made me laugh on many trips to Kamloops to see her family. She was a fun loving person, and we had a good time. She will be missed.

From: Arlene Thygesen

To Gisele’s family: While my heart aches, I am grateful to have known Gisele and I know you have many fabulous memories of her and her sense of humor to comfort you during your time of grief. I will never forget this wonderful lady and am so happy for the time we spent together. She is now wrapped in the arms of her loved ones who went before. My heartfelt sympathies to you all.

From: Edie and Dennis Mockford

We are sadden to hear about Gisele. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

From: Sharie Assels

I would just like to say Gisele was truly one of a kind. I never saw her mad or upset, always in a good mood. She always made me laugh, such a character. She had a presence about her that people were just drawn to. Gisele you truly will be sadly missed. Rest in peace. Its been an honour to call you my friend.

From: Randie Scott

Gisele was one of the first women to enter the ranks of Correctional Officers and I had the privilege and pleasure of working with her for a great many years. I found her to be a real natural in a correctional environment which is by its very nature is often times unpredictable and laden with anxiety. Gisele brought a great many qualities to the job- respect, fairness, compassion, steadiness, gumption, reliability, commitment and an wonderful sense of humor. I especially appreciated her sensitivity and wisdom with respect to aboriginal matters- many incarcerated first nations and Metis offenders benefited first hand from Gisele’s excellent correctional work. She gained the respect of all she came in contact with- offenders and staff alike.

My last opportunity to spend time with Gisele was when we sat together during a CSC Retired Officers Association luncheon less than three weeks ago and we slapped our knees in great laughter throughout our meal as we reminisced over our past hijinks. Only a few days ago she made plans to meet again this coming Wednesday for lunch. I teased her that I would have a birthday cupcake loaded with many dozens of candles to help celebrate her March 8th birthday and that lighting them might trigger the sprinkler system.

Gisele was as large as life and lived it to the fullest. As I write this I am listening to a few Elvis tunes which she loved so much. All of us who knew this amazing woman are better people for her life path having crossed ours. We have suffered a big loss and even ‘Blackie’ the Stratocaster is sad.

From: Don and Debbie Taylor

We are shocked and so sad to hear of Gisele’s passing. Even though we didn’t see her in person much anymore we loved seeing a glimpse into her life on Facebook. We fondly remember many fun filled summer days at Mission Flats with good friends. Our condolences.

From: Bill Kynar

I wish to express my sympathy upon the loss of Gisele. As co workers, I will never forget her friendliness and kindness that was extended to me. No one who knew her will ever forget her charm and warmth.

From: Diane Umezuki

I was so sad to hear the news. I will always remember her and her funny stories she told me when I first started at Matsqui. It was always a pleasure working with her and I am thankful for the fun times we had while on shift. More recently I was able to reconnect with her via facebook and we would often talk. She was always supportive. My dear friend and co-worker will be missed greatly, but she will certainly live on in my memories and heart. RIP Gisele.