Gerlinde Hearn, 81, of Shady Shores went to be with the Lord on November 19, 2016. She was born on July 19, 1935 in Erben, East Prussia to Heinrich and Anna Symanczik.  She married the late Maurice Patrick Hearn in England on March 13, 1960.

Gerlinde was born in Erben, East Prussia, which is now Poland but moved to Luneburg, Germany as a young girl with her family which they called home.  Her early years were not easy, but she was a fighter.  She came from poverty and built a life with her husband.  An accomplishment her two children are very proud of.

At the age of 18 she moved to England where she met her husband Maurice, affectionally called Mo and they married on March 13, 1960.  Mo was actually at mom's building to meet another young lady, but when he saw mom, there must have been "sparks" because they married and had a very adventurous life together.

Gerlinde had two daughters, Angela and Ingrid. Although they had two children, their traveling life was just about to begin, living in England, Germany, South Africa, Canada, Washington State and finally landing in Texas.  Children did not slow down or dampen their adventurous spirit. They packed up the family and off they went to explore new countries and cultures.  They traveled the world together, always finding adventure and making wonderful memories.

Gerlinda was a homemaker, but not your typical homemaker; she was a master seamstress, sewing her daughter's clothes when they were growing up.  She was also an amazing cook and baker.  Her daughter, Angela would sometimes sell her lunches to classmates because everyone loved her food.   While living in Washington, Gerlinde tended to a large vegetable garden, canned all sorts of tree fruits as well as salmon and tuna from the fisherman in her local town. She was the head baker while working at an elementary school after her girls grew up and baked the most delicious foods.

Every Christmas, Gerlinde's daughters and all four grandchildren eagerly awaited the German goodies she would bake.  She would ship those goodies to Guam and California.  Her kitchen was always a complete mess from mid-November to mid-December.  She truly enjoyed knowing that others enjoyed the fruits of her labor.   And let us not forget about her strawberry jam.  Everybody loves it, from her daughter's, grandkids and their friends.

Gerlinde was an amazing cook and baker for her family and continued to wow them all with her abilities. Her strawberry jam is amazing. It is a favorite of her grandchildren. Her sewing abilities were phenomenal; she sewed her daughter's clothes growing up, sewed her oldest daughter's winter coat while up North at Boot Camp and also sewed her youngest daughter's wedding dress.

After Gerlinde's husband passed away, she once again became a world traveler with her friend Josephine.  Mom used to say that Dad brought Josephine to her.  They cruised on the QE 2 cruise lines to destinations all over the world, vacationing on the beaches in Mexico, Hawaii and flying to every place their hearts led them to. Although busy with traveling, Gerlinde, who her family called Omie, made special bonds with all four grandchildren.  They all thought she was one pretty spectacular Omie.

Once diagnosed with cancer in fall of 2013, Gerlinde did not let it get the best of her. She fought through radiation, multiple rounds of chemo and a clinical trial. Each time amazing the doctors with her resilience and determination not to let the cancer get her. She was a fighter and was not going to go without a fight. It was her attitude that amazed us all. Even at the end of her fight she made it easy for her daughters to care for her because of her personality and warm heart. There was even laughter at the very end.

Omie was one phenomenal person.  She was talented in so many ways, but she was also thoughtful and giving, to the Cancer Society, various charities and the Fisher House for military family members. Omie was born a fighter and died a fighter, with so much respect and admiration from her family!

She is preceded in death by her husband Maurice Patrick Hearn.

A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, Texas at 10:00 A.M.