Gisela U. Beker

Gisela U. Beker (maiden name Sander) passed away Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the age of 82. There will be a scattering of ashes on Friday, May 1 at 11 a.m. on the beach outside of the Oceans IV condominium in which she lived for several years. For friends that would like to attend, there is a public beach ramp by Oceans V off of Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores to gain access to the ceremony. Gisela, a renowned artist and former business owner, was born in Danzig, East Germany on October 9, 1932. She studied art in Rostock, East Germany and in Düsseldorf, West Germany before moving to New York City. In 1956, Gisela was married to Erol Beker and they had three sons together. Gisela became a United States citizen in 1961. She was always proud to be a U.S. citizen, and was an avid follower of U.S. politics. Gisela Beker's painting "Graduation Orange" received the Palmes d'Or, (Golden Palm) on July 24, 1974, at the International Art Festival in Paris France. 122 artists from around the world competed for France's top Award that year. Several of Gisela's paintings have been accepted into museums around the world, including The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., The Museum of Art in Lodz (Poland), and The Long Beach Museum in California just to name a few. In 2010, The White House accepted three paintings of Gisela's renditions of President Obama and The First Family, where they will remain a part of the White House's permanent collection. In Gisela's spare time, she enjoyed walking on the beach, entertaining friends at her condo in Daytona Beach Shores, playing chess, and had a deep love for animals. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to the Halifax Humane Society at https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/HalifaxHumaneSocietyofDaytona/OnlineDonation.html