Obituary of Gerri Ras

After a life filled with faith, family and friends, we are saddened to announce the sudden passing of our dear mother, nana and wife, Gerri Ras, who went home to her Lord and Saviour in her 71^st year. 

Gerri had a mercifully short illness that took her life suddenly on June 19^th.  At the end, she was surrounded by her family who held vigil until her last moments in commemoration of a life devoted to that family.

Gerri, born in 1951 to Irene and Gysbert in Nieuwerkerk, Netherlands, immigrated with her parents and siblings to Canada when she was just two years old and was raised in the town of Beamsville, where she lived most of her life.

It was in Beamsville, in 1969 that she met Evert and they were married in 1971. Fifty-two years of love and marriage produced two children – Michael (1971) and Elaine (1976), and five grandchildren who all adored their nana. Nothing made her happier than showering her four granddaughters (Delaney, Allyson, Danica, Abigail) and one grandson (Matthew) with treats from nana’s secret stash of candy, chocolate and homemade cookies. 

Evert is left heartbroken, but is uplifted by his strong faith and the friendship of so many who have reached out in recent days with offers of assistance and fellowship.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff of St. Catharines General Hospital who made Gerri’s final hours comfortable. 

Visitation will take place at Tallman Funeral Homes, 3277 King St. Vineland, on Sunday, June 25 from 2-4pm.

A funeral service will take place on Monday, June 26, at 10:30am at St. Ann’s Community Church, 5425 Twenty Mile Road, Saint Ann’s, Ontario, followed by an interment ceremony at St. John’s Public Cemetery in Jordan. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gerri’s name to Assist Canada – a charity that Gerri dedicated countless hours to over the past number of years.