Obituary of Gertrude Ruth Seyler

Seyler, Gertrude

February 21, l924 – to September 23, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gertrude Seyler (nee Schnarr) at Eastholme Residence, Powassan, surrounded by her loved ones.  She was in her 97^th year.  Beloved wife of 69 years to the late John “Jack” Seyler .  Cherished mother of John (Manon), Heather Kearns (Keith), Marilyn Polkinghorne (Eric – predeceased), Sharon Seyler (Robert), and Joan Sargent (Dave – predeceased).  Devoted Grandmother to Amy Polkinghorne, Lindsay Cote (Chuck), Kayla Seyler (Mike), John-Travis Seyler, Melanie McCullagh (Patrick) and Laura Manganaro (Darren), and proud Great-Grandmother of Finnley and Ellie Cote, Immy and Kael Pregent, Theodore Hook, and Vincent Manganaro.  Gertrude will be deeply missed by her brother Ken and many extended family members and friends.  She is predeceased by her sisters Alice Hauck and Marjorie Schmidt.

Gertrude & “Jack” raised their family in North Bay from l958 to 1994, until they decided to continue their retirement in Niagara-on-the Lake. They later moved back to the North Bay area to be closer to family, as her first priority in life was an overwhelming devotion, love and dedication to her family.  Gertrude was a prominent member of the North Bay Art Association for many years, exhibiting in many group and solo shows and was granted her letters, N.O.A.A., from the Northern Ontario Art Association.  Many of her floral watercolors and paintings are in private collections in Canada, U.S.A. and Europe.  She has often stated, “I believe the subject matter one paints should be those things which one is knowledgeable about and inspired by.  With this in mind I invariably turn to nature for my inspiration, because however miraculous are the inventions of mankind, I feel that nature is still the source of all our being and feeling,  I never cease to marvel at the varieties in flowers and wildlife.”  She was an avid cross-country skier, skiing the Golf Course in Niagara-on-the-Lake well into her 80’s, on a daily basis.  She was also a long time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Bay.  She devoted much time teaching all her grandchildren the basics of drawing and painting, and the aromas of her daily home cooking always filled her home.

Her canvas of life was full of brilliant color, light and shade.  Loving Mom, brings to mind a favorite quote by Helen Keller:  “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.”   

The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Ng and all the caring and dedicated staff at Eastholme, 3 South.

A PRIVATE Memorial Service will be held at Martyn Funeral Home followed by a burial service at Terrace Lawn Cemetery.  The Service will be live streamed on the Martyn Funeral Home Facebook Page on Thursday, October 1^st  at 11:00 a.m.  If desired, donations to the Alzeimer’s Society and the North Bay Art Association will be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy.

Online condolences at www.martyn.com