Obituary of Gizella Orban

ORBAN, Gizella

February 10, 1927 – April 1, 2023

Gizella Orban (nee Gaal) passed away April 1,2023 at the age of 96. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Olga Wright (Bob) of Calgary, her grandson Rob (Ian) of Toronto, her granddaughter Barbara (Jonathan) of Ottawa and her precious great grandson Will, of Ottawa. She was predeceased by her husband Otto in 1984.

Gizella was born and raised in Csentiba, Slovenia where she married Otto in 1950. They lived in her family wine cellar where their daughter was born in 1952. Displaying remarkable courage, they decided that they would try to escape from then communist Jugoslavia and start a new life in a democratic country. The first attempt was unsuccessful, resulting in a night in jail, but the second time they made it to Austria where they lived in a refugee camp in Linz. They were fortunate to be accepted to immigrate to Canada and eventually Calgary in 1955. They were welcomed by the immigrant Hungarian community and worked very hard to build their new lives.

Gizella started out as a cleaning lady and then worked as a seamstress at Tynan Furniture for many years. She was a wonderful seamstress, an excellent cook and she loved her garden and flowers. She was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church and loved to sing at Sunday Mass. She enjoyed dinner dances at the Hungarian Cultural Centre.

In 1977, coinciding with the birth of her first grandchild, she got her driver’s license at the age of 50. That independent spirit was further reflected when she travelled to Australia all by herself to visit relatives who had immigrated there. She helped raise her grandchildren after her husband died and also babysat the neighbourhood children. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Gizella had a long and remarkable life and will truly be missed.

The family would like to thank the staff at Carewest Garrison Green for caring for Gizella for the last nine years. Cremation has taken place and Gizella will be laid to rest with her husband in St. Mary’s Cemetery at a private family service in the summer. No flowers or donations please. Just hug your family members and cherish your time together.