GERDA CHRISTINE JANIS

JANIS, GERDA CHRISTINE, born December 23, 1923 in Herdecke, Germany to parents Ida and Rudolph Knoche, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2010. A lover and patron of the arts, the Miami Philharmonic, Coconut Grove Playhouse and a founding member of "The Angels of Mercy" of Mercy Hospital. Above all, Gerda was a devoted and loving wife to her husband Bernard Janis and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Gerda was a long time member of Riviera Country Club, Ocean Reef Club, Deering Bay Club and resident of Hound Ears Golf and Country Club, Boone, N.C. Gerda lived and survived through the atrocities of World War II. She was a teacher at an all girls school in Poland in 1944 and fled for her life just miles in front of the Russian Army invasion. She escaped to the relative safety of the Bavarian Alps on foot and by ox drawn cart and by train. Gerda remained in the mountains until the war ended. She was then employed by the United States Army as a translator. At that time she met a young American Army Captain named Bernard Janis. The two were married August 30, 1950. That union lasted sixty years until their death just 3 days apart. Gerda enjoyed a very active life, and embraced the Miami lifestyle. She had many friends who she and Bernie enjoyed traveling and socializing with. She was a woman of grace and style. She built a beautiful family home in Gables Estates where she loved entertaining. She and her circle of friends enjoyed a full calendar of parties and trips all over the world. She was as comfortable on a camel in Egypt as she was in her balcony chair a the opera. Whether dressed in her finest couture or in her sports outfits, she wore both with equal panache. She enjoyed "life to the fullest." Gerda is survived by daughter Renee Janis Ullman, grandson Matthew Ullman, son Ronald Ernest Janis (Catherine Hayes Janis) and granddaughters Carly and Hayley Janis. The family would like to extend our most heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and doctors of South Miami Hospital, as well as to the care givers from Home Instead, you were all so wonderful at our time of need. The family would also like to make special mention of Laura Belveder for her unwavering kindness, her tireless dedication, and the love and dignified care that she provided to Gerda and Bernard. Memorial service to be held May 6th, 2:00 pm at Riverside-Gordon Memorial Chapel at Mt. Nebo Kendall, 5900 SW 77th Ave., Miami, FL 33143. A gathering of family and friends will be held at Riviera Country Club following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Haiti Relief Foundations. View this Guest Book at www. MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.