Peacefully, at South Huron Hospital, Exeter, on Monday, June 5, 2006, Carol Erb Gingerich, of Zurich, in her 67th year. Beloved wife of the late Rev. Cyril K. Gingerich (1999). Dear sister and sister-in-law of Delphine and Melvin Zehr, of Kitchener, Joy and Cornelius Klassen, of Vineland, Eleanor and Orland Jantzi, of Waterloo, Kathryn and Paul Steckle, of R.R. 2 Zurich, Charles and Tanya Erb, of Zurich, Marjorie Steckle, of Tavistock, Philip and Laurie Erb, of Zurich, Audrey Gingerich of Magnetawan, Cleve and Margaret Gingerich of Grand Bend, Gloria and Wally Dirks of Petersburg and Pearl and Andrew Kuepfer of New Hamburg. Survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Predeceased by her parents Gordon and Mabel (Jantzi) Erb, brothers-in-law Gerald Steckle, Victor Gingerich and Gerald Gingerich and one niece Connie Steckle.
Visitation in the J. M. McBeath Funeral Home, 49 Goshen St. N., Zurich on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted on Saturday June 10, 2006 at 10 a.m. in the Zurich Mennonite Church. Pastor Phil Wagler officiating. Cremation. Private family interment Zurich Mennonite Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Carol Erb Gingerich Scholarship Fund, CBMI; or the Zurich Mennonite Church Mission Fund.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Haskett Funeral Homes
Condolence From: Linda & Bill Soldan
Chuck, Tanya & Family-
Our deepest sympathy. Words hardly seem enough at this time but please know that we are thinking of you & family. Cherish the memories. Carol must have been an amazing Lady- I wish I had known her. Love Linda & Bill
Condolence From: Fred and Alice Deichert
To Carol’s Family,
Our sincere condolences to all of you. Although we didn’t know Carol well, we do know many of you — her siblings. She was a very special lady and will be missed by all.
With Sympathy, Fred and Alice
Condolence From: Glen & Donna Thiel
To all of Carol’s family: We send our condolences to all of you. Carol was an inspiration to everyone she came in contact, especially to Glen & I, when I was ill. Our love and prayers are with you at this time. Sincerely Glen & Donna.
Condolence From: Harri Lammi
Dear Family and Friends of Carol,
How we wish we could be with all of you to celebrate Carol’s life! As we received your faithful updates here in Afghanistan of Carol’s life slipping away, we were praying for you, as well as for her. While the adults asked God to keep Carol from pain and allow her to know God’s peace in her final days, the children prayed that God would make her well so she could come back to Afghanistan. Carol deeply touched our lives, from the youngest to the oldest.
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Who could have demonstrated the meaning of an abundant life more vividly than Carol Erb Gingerich did? Truly she lived out this promise of Jesus. Her abundant life did not focus on fulfilling her own needs, but spilled over in blessing to those she met.
We have many memories of the ways Carol encouraged us. On a rather discouraging day, she was quick to say, “What will that matter 50 years from now? Or 5 years from now?” How true!
“Just two weeks ago the IAM celebrated 40 years of God’s faithfulness in our work here in Afghanistan. Carol was remembered as one of those early team members who helped lay the foundation for our work today. We’re so grateful that CBM (Christoffel Blindenmission) offered Carol for service with the IAM to promote eye care in this needy country.
Many of us were also privileged to enjoy her efficient help and gracious hospitality at the Peshawar Office and Guest House in the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan in later years. Carol ably handled pressures that might well have overwhelmed others, such as our evacuation to Peshawar just before 9/11, which left her with the responsibility of finding immediate housing for some 70 team members and children. She did it!
We were delighted when Carol joined us once again in Kabul to serve at the University Eye Hospital. Again, by God’s grace, she was able to rise to great challenges in that arena, enabling others to stay effective and encouraged.
Generosity was a major attribute of Carol’s. Her Afghan friends, as well as her expatriate friends, always knew they could go to Carol for help.
We pray that as Carol’s life so vibrantly demonstrated Christ’s love to the people here, that her death will remind all of us to look to the One who enabled her live this abundant life.
The sadness we feel due to Carol’s departure from Afghanistan and now from this world is very real. But what comfort to know that Carol is experiencing the purest joy possible in her Savior’s presence, and that in the future we, who also know Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, will see her again!
Our love and prayers from Afghanistan are with you.
Harri Lammi, IAM Executive Director
Ruth Dougherty, IAM Personnel Director
. . . on behalf of the IAM Team
Condolence From: Anne & Brad Mousseau
Our hearfelt sympathies to Carol’s family in their loss of a beautiful, loving, caring sister who devoted her life, to others much less fortunate. Our thoughts are with you now and in the days to come. With love, Anne & Brad.
Condolence From: David and Jo-Ann Jantzi
While travelling to Victoria one afternoon I mentioned to my newly acquainted friend that I had a cousin who had been working in Afganistan but had recently returned home due to her having cancer. My friend said she had been praying for a lady who had been with the Blind Mission there but also had returned to Canada because of her cancer. At about the same time we both spoke the name “Carol”. This, until a month or so previous, total stranger from Ladysmith in British Columbia knew my cousin Carol. Turns out this lady, her husband and several other people in my ‘new church’ in Ladysmith, BC, had been praying for Carol for some time.
Carol has touched the lives of so very many individuals – many of whom we shall never know. And she did it all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. She has set a standard of Christian love which we all would do well to emulate.
Now, Carol, rest in the peace and glory of your reward, basking in the eternal warmth and love of our Heavenly Father.
Condolence From: Arshad, Ismail and Sajida. Office staff in Peshawar, Pakistan
It was with great sadness we received the news of Carols parting.
She was a dear co-worker and friend. Always gentle in her approach and someone who cared for her neighbors in the workplace and outside of it. It was a true joy to work with her here in the office. We believe a tree planted in her memory soon will grow tall and provide welcome shade for those who are in need of rest.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to family and friends at this time, may God in his great mercy bless you abundantly.
Condolence From: Bob and Molly Gilmore
To the Erb and Gingerich Families:
Thinking of you at this time and how such a beautiful Lady has left such a wonderful imprint on so many lives.
Condolence From: Peg and Jim Engle
I, Peg Groff Engle, learned to know Carol in Ethiopia in the ’80’s. She and Cyril were a great support to me during some difficult times. I found peace and safety in their home and in their presence! In 1990 Carol prepared our wedding reception in Addis Ababa! It was delightful and done with love and care. Cyril filmed our wedding. It was a special privilege for me to join the group of Ethiopia “sisters” who visited Carol last August… great memories and a renewed awareness of meaningful friendships. It was a special treat to meet a few of you, her siblings! Now I send my love to you all and thank you for sharing your dear sister with so many people around the world! I have been blessed by her. Grace and peace to you all!
Thursday June 08, 2006
Condolence From: Marje Crowe
My husband and I are customers of Chuck Erb and I am so sorry to read that he has lost his sister. My thoughts are with Chuck, Tanya and their family at this difficult time. With sympathy and love from Marje Crowe and family
Condolence From: Margaret and Bill White
Dear Erb Family Margaret and I want to extend our sympathy to all your family at this difficult time. May your faith sustain you as you journey on. Our Prayers are with you. Bill and Margaret White.
Condolence From: Todd and Josette McMichael
Condolence From: Linda & Bob Hovde, Mennonite Mission
Condolence: During our 5 years in Ethiopia, our Menno family met weekly for a fellowship meal, singing, a devotional and meaningful prayer time. Sharing those years with Carol and Cyril was such an encouragement and blessing to all of us. She loved for us to sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. Carol was “the hostess with the mostest”. She was a competent and compassionate missionary. I cut Carol’s hair during those years, and once she shared how she never was depressed. Yet she was able to sympathetically encourage others during their down times. She was so full of joy and spoke the truth in love. “I tell ya”, she has been an inspiration and reflection of the love of Jesus Christ. Our heartfelt sympathy to her family and our gratitude for your sharing her with the world! Our love and prayers for God’s comforting Presence to uphold you.
Condolence From: Don & Charlene Oesch
To the family of Carol: Our deepest condolences in the loss of such a wonderful lady. A very special woman who saw pain and suffering in the world and did her best to put an end to it, all the while accepting the fact that while her work took her to dangerous places, the needs of others meant more. May God grant her the peace she has so justly earned
Condolence From: John Jantzi
Carol truly was the proverbial “light in the darkness” for the poor and less fortunate people both here and around the world. Her love and compassion will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all who knew her. Her immense strength and courage in the face of all forms of adversity will never be forgotten. To my dear cousin I say: “Well done! See you again on God’s golden shore.”
Condolence From: Deb Elliott
To Carol’s family, Although I didn’t know Carol well personally I do know many of you – her family – and my heart aches for your loss. I have heard so many great things about Carol over the years and her self sacrificing work to better our world. It has been a comfort to me remembering the “spirit-full” life of my sister who passed. I pray your faith and those memories will be a pillow on which to hold your grief. Love Deb “May we see in the world through tears, that which dry eyed we may miss”.
Condolence From: Robbie Langford, Mazar, Afghanistan.
Dear Carol’s Family, Carol was a dear friend and colleague with whom I had the most wonderful holiday in Hunza. She was also a wonderful ‘welcomer’ at our Guest House in Peshawar, and being of a similar age and inclination, we had many laughs (and lots of good meals!) together. May Jesus comfort you as you adapt to the huge ‘Carol-shaped’ hole in your life, but know that she is rejoicing with Him.
Condolence From: Pat Cook
Deepest Sympathy and much prayer for all the family and friends of Carol. Carol’s Friendship enriched my life and I will miss her very much. But she was so much looking forward to heaven and she is with the Lord. a comfort to us all.
Condolence From: Shirley Erb & Family , John Duckworth
You have our deepest sympathy. Carol was an earth Angel and will now enjoy her rewards in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers to each and everyone of you
Condolence From: Harv & Evelyn Vincent
To each member of Carol’s family, Carol was such an ispiration and encouragement to all of us and will be greatly missed. Sincere sympathy to each of you in your great loss. She is enjoying her rewards in heaven! Love and Prayers
Condolence From: Clive, Patty, Kristen & Michael Ollies
Carol has been a source of inspiration, strength and encouragement to us over the years. We will miss her very much! Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you, her family during this time. The comfort comes from knowing that she is now with her Lord and that she has left a lastingly legacy in the many lives that she has touched. Blessings to each of you!! Love & Prayers, Clive, Patty, Kristen & Michael Ollies