Gerda Anna Paula Frieda Brown's memory board

Tribute for Gerda Brown Gerda Anna Paula Frieda Koch was born in Berlin on the 23rd of November in 1925 to Kurt and Freida Koch. She was the eldest of two daughters having a younger sister Uschi. Gerda grew up in Berlin in the middle of the Great Depression, then sadly, World War Two was the backdrop to her teenage years. These were tough years for Gerda. Her father was drafted into the army and sent to the Russian Front and never returned. In this terrible time many of Gerda’s extended family were also killed. By the end of the War, Gerda’s only surviving family was her Mum (Frieda) and her sister. Towards the end of the War, around early 1945, when Gerda was working in a factory that built tanks, she befriended a Polish girl who had been conscripted to work with others in the factory. Gerda snuck in some clothes as the young girl had only one set. She was seen doing this and the SS came looking for her one night as any assistance to the Poles was not allowed but Gerda’s sister Uschi met them at the door and firmly told them to go away. Uschi was a member of the Hitler Youth and like Gerda not one to back down. The SS left, luckily as Gerda was hiding upstairs. But just to be safe, Gerda left for Austria until the war was just about over. This was also around this time Gerda’s house was hit by American bombers and it and the whole suburb was destroyed so there was no good reason to stay in Berlin and at this time the Russians were advancing on the city. After the War ended, Gerda met Anthony (Tony) who at this time was a British solider stationed in Germany. She followed him to England where they married on her 23rd birthday, being the 23rd of November in 1948. Uschi had migrated to Australia with her husband Janos. He was Hungarian and had been a member of the French foreign legion in 1946-47. Europe after the war was a mix of many many nationalities and young people from all these different countries found one other and tried to make a better life for themselves, often in new countries. As Germany was still in ruins and life for civilians was rather bleak and food was scarce, Gerda felt this was no place for her mother and so she returned to Germany to collect her mother from Berlin and return to England. Gerda always felt the cold and was looking for some sunshine in her life. And what better place to find this than Australia especially as her sister was now living here. Uschi wanted her sister and mother to come to Australia so she sent a food parcel over to Gerda in England. This must have worked as Gerda and her mother migrated out to Australia shortly after with Tony following later. Gerda and Frieda actually sailed to Australia first class as OOschi helped with the fare but Tony coming later only managed economy class. This was the only time that Gerda ever travelled first class in her life, something that her children and grandchildren have yet to achieve. So there’s a one up for her. Tony and Gerda settled in Melbourne and set up a lovely home in Heathmont. Together Tony and Gerda went onto bring two children into the world, Malcolm in 1958 and Jacqui in 1960. Gerda loved her children dearly. She was a stay at home Mum who cared for them as only loving mothers can. She walked with them everywhere as they didn’t have a car in those early days and she was always there for them. In 1970 the family moved to South Australia where they lived in Smithfield, Salisbury Heights and Para Hills. Tony and Gerda separated in the early ‘70’s and life, although difficult for Gerda, went on. Gerda was a very strong independent woman and even as a single mother in the 70’s, she was able to save up and take her children on holidays to Kangaroo Island where she was canny enough to invest in land there which she subdivided and did quite well from years later. Gerda then graciously passed this good fortune onto her children, that was just Gerda, she would rather spend money on her children than herself. Gerda became an Australian citizen on 27 May 1974. This was something she always wanted as it gave her a sense of belonging to this country which she loved. When her children were teenagers, Gerda gained employment in a dress shop in Rundle Mall. Her work ethic saw her being promoted to store manager in her fifties. This being no mean feat for an older woman in the late 1970’s. Through hard work she was able to earn enough money to enable her to return to Germany in March 1978 on a holiday. But true to form she had waited until Malcolm and Jackie were old enough to look after themselves before she ever considered this trip. And one of the main reasons for her returning to Germany was to visit her Mother’s grave, as Frieda had returned to Germany some years prior. This again shows the value Gerda placed on family. Gerda was very thrifty. Living through the great depression and World War Two taught her the value of saving and never trusting big business. She was very wary of the banks. When Gerda moved from Para Hills to Balmoral Retirement Village in Dernancourt, Malcolm checked the backyard of her home and found a tin containing $7000 that she kept under a bush rather than trusting the banks with it and not letting Centrelink know for fear of it being taxed. And even when Malcolm asked what she wanted to do with this this money she simply said, share it. Gerda kept multiple notes in her unit of the birthdates of all the grandchildren so she’d never forget their birthdays. How many grandads would ever do this? Whenever Gerda went out for lunch or dinner. She’d eat sparingly just to save some for later on then put them in a serviette to take home, much to the embarrassment of her family! Over the years, Gerda’s family grew as she welcomed her children’s partners into the family, Anna and Bob. Gerda went onto become Oma to 6 grandchildren; Alicia, Marissa, Natalie, Laura who is heaven, Daniel, Nikki and Anthony. She was also great grandmother to 3. All the grandchildren loved their Oma and in return they brought a lot of joy into her life. Gerda was very happy to just be around her family and in December 2012 she moved from her home to Balmoral Retirement Village in Dernancourt where she settled as best she could. A life born in hardship and war had taught Gerda the value of family and thrift. Never one to covet possessions or display wealth, Gerda simply favoured the basics and gave far more than she ever received. Gerda was fortunate to have enjoyed quite good health which she had right until the end but only very recently her health began to decline and she was admitted into the Royal Adelaide Hospital where she sadly passed away on the 15th of June. Gerda will be so very much missed by all who knew and loved her and it is the memory of her now that will stay with you all forever more.