Love & Support for the Giesbrecht Family
Donation protected
In August of 2011, our family of three decided to move to Qatar. My husband and I had each secured jobs there and were excited for this new adventure. What made it even more exciting is that Dave and Tracie, friends who had woven themselves throughout our lives in many different ways, just happened to be coming too, along with their youngest daughter Honour. Dave and my husband were to work together in Al Khor, at Qatar Academy.
Our Qatari adventure lasted four years, but Dave and Tracie stayed on. Their family home - one filled with much laughter, music and love - became a home of comfort to so many. They hosted friends and family from around the world, generously touring them throughout the country that was now home. Their daughters were often with them, staying months at a time. Their warmth, generosity, love and kindness drew people close, and their home was often a gathering place, with shared meals and music.
This came to a sudden and tragic end on Sunday as Dave suffered a massive pulmonary embolism and, in Tracie's words, "went from happy and laughing with me to....forever in my memory."
The Giesbrecht family - Tracie and her three daughters Jennica, Annie, and Honour - have been thrust into the depths of grief. Adding to that grief are the layers of uncertainty before them. Daily, Tracie is trying to get answers on when she can get to Canada to be with her daughters to hold a funeral, and how long she has to pack up the family home before she must repatriate to Canada. Of course, the current pandemic is making everything more difficult with flight restrictions and rules regarding quarantine.
Many people have been looking for a way to tangibly and practically help the family. Dave was the main income earner for the family. There will be many costs related to Tracie's repatriation. Additionally, the costs of last minute flights are steep. And of course, there are associated costs with the funeral as well as Covid-related costs, since the family must quarantine together before being able to hold a service together for Dave. The girls are already together in Niagara and are waiting for their mom to join them.
So much love has been shown to the family in the wake of Dave's death. So many kind words have been spoken about Dave's gentleness, kindness, and quiet but obvious love of his wife and daughters. In Dave's honour, let's help his family in their time of grief.
Great big love
Sweeping across the sky.
**The family is aware of this fundraising campaign and is truly appreciative of everyone's support. **
Our Qatari adventure lasted four years, but Dave and Tracie stayed on. Their family home - one filled with much laughter, music and love - became a home of comfort to so many. They hosted friends and family from around the world, generously touring them throughout the country that was now home. Their daughters were often with them, staying months at a time. Their warmth, generosity, love and kindness drew people close, and their home was often a gathering place, with shared meals and music.
This came to a sudden and tragic end on Sunday as Dave suffered a massive pulmonary embolism and, in Tracie's words, "went from happy and laughing with me to....forever in my memory."
The Giesbrecht family - Tracie and her three daughters Jennica, Annie, and Honour - have been thrust into the depths of grief. Adding to that grief are the layers of uncertainty before them. Daily, Tracie is trying to get answers on when she can get to Canada to be with her daughters to hold a funeral, and how long she has to pack up the family home before she must repatriate to Canada. Of course, the current pandemic is making everything more difficult with flight restrictions and rules regarding quarantine.
Many people have been looking for a way to tangibly and practically help the family. Dave was the main income earner for the family. There will be many costs related to Tracie's repatriation. Additionally, the costs of last minute flights are steep. And of course, there are associated costs with the funeral as well as Covid-related costs, since the family must quarantine together before being able to hold a service together for Dave. The girls are already together in Niagara and are waiting for their mom to join them.
So much love has been shown to the family in the wake of Dave's death. So many kind words have been spoken about Dave's gentleness, kindness, and quiet but obvious love of his wife and daughters. In Dave's honour, let's help his family in their time of grief.
Great big love
Sweeping across the sky.
**The family is aware of this fundraising campaign and is truly appreciative of everyone's support. **
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathy Epp
Organizer
St. Catharines, ON
Jennica Giesbrecht
Beneficiary