UMVA has learned that a remarkable couple, Geoff and Gerrie Gradus, lived a life of enduring love and devotion, passing away just two days apart at the remarkable age of 67 years of marriage.
Gerrie died suddenly less than two days after her husband Geoff, leaving behind a legacy of love, family, and community that will be deeply missed. Their daughter, Ruth, shared a poignant reflection on their love, saying, 'The minute my dad went into a hospital bed in the spare room, which was four days before he died, I think her body just started giving up. I think she would never have survived without him.'
The couple's love story began when Gerrie met Geoff while on holiday in Cliftonville at just 17 years old, and they married three years later. However, their early years were marked by tragedy, as they lost their first two babies – twins – at birth. They went on to have four more children and built a life together, becoming pillars of Thanet's Jewish community through their beloved shop, G's Stores.
G's Stores was famous for its sweet treats, including doughnuts and cheesecake, and was a staple in Cliftonville for years. The couple's dedication to their community was evident in their business and personal lives, as they took in young exchange students and were heavily involved in local events, including Margate Swimming Club and Walpole Bay Bowls Club.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the couple faced more tragedy when their son Spencer died in a freak ride-on mower accident in 2016. However, their love and commitment to each other and their community only grew stronger. Geoff and Gerrie were known for their kindness, generosity, and warmth, and their daughter Ruth remembered them as 'much-loved and deeply respected members of the community.'
One exchange student, Jutta Bick, recalled her experience with the Gradus family, saying, 'A whole bus full of teenagers from Germany – overtired after a long journey – arrived in Cliftonville one morning in the summer of 1977. Everyone was waiting for ‘their’ family, and then a woman stepped onto the bus, a radiant smile on her face that immediately conveyed good cheer and a sense of welcome. It was Gerrie Gradus, and three wonderful weeks began.'
Their daughter Ruth added that even in their old age, the couple remained affectionate and dedicated to their community. Geoff was passionate about catering, and Gerrie was heavily involved in the committee at Walpole Bay Bowls Club. The couple's legacy will live on through the countless lives they touched, and they will always be remembered as a couple who gave so much to their community – and who remained side by side until the very end.
