Marie Gilbert Gieseke

Marie Gilbert Gieseke died peacefully at home on June 11, following a stroke. She was 84 years old.

Marie was a native of Pennsylvania. She was born March 22, 1924, in Chambersburg, PA, to Dr. Levi F. Gilbert and Evangeline Coffman. Her family moved to Altoona, PA, where her father was Superintendent of Schools, and she graduated from Altoona High School in 1942. Marie went on to graduate from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, with a degree in Chemistry in 1946. She was a proud member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and remained in contact with her sorority sisters throughout her life.

Marie met her husband, Bill Willard C. Gieseke in Chicago and was married there in 1948. Soon after the couple moved to Duluth, MN and started their family. When her husband was recalled to active duty during the Korean War they moved to San Diego, CA. Marie and her family moved to Santa Cruz in 1962.

Marie was socially active and had a large circle of friends. She enjoyed Tai Chi, luncheons with her friends, was an avid reader, and had a passion for bridge. Marie loved to travel. She had traveled to all 50 states and throughout the world. At age 80, she traveled to Antarctica and the following year made her last international trip to Japan and the Philippines. She held a certificate for having traveled to all seven continents.

Marie believed in volunteering and belonged to numerous social and charitable organizations. She never missed an opportunity to help someone in need and often did so anonymously. She was a Girl Scout Leader, and held various offices as an active member of the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz. She was a member of P.E.O, Santa Cruz Women's Club, Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz, American Association of University Women, CRW, MOAA, and TROA.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Bill in 1990. She is survived by her brother and his wife, Warren and Terttu Gilbert of Corralitos; her son and his wife, Jeff and Red Gieseke of Watsonville; her son and his wife, Stephen and Christy Gieseke of San Miguel, CA; her daughter, Christine Gieseke, and son, Mark Gieseke, both of Santa Cruz; and her daughter and her husband, Debra and Brad Frey of Santa Cruz; her grandchildren, Stephen Gieseke, Jr. and Dulce Marie Gieseke, both of Watsonville; Michelle Correia of Tulare; Whitney and Kendall Frey of Santa Cruz; 4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 21, at United Methodist Church, 250 California Street, Santa Cruz, CA, with Minister, Mike Love and Assistant Minister, April Oristano officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Foundation of the United Methodist Church 250 California St., Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 or the charity of your choice.