A long and wonderful life journey came to a quiet and blessed end early Sunday morning, October 27, 2024, when Gisela Waltraut Strei Comley passed away peacefully in her daughter’s home in Arlington, Va. At 97 years young, Gisela died of natural causes, remarkably strong and resilient until the end.
Gisela is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Comley Johnson; her beloved cats, “Mo-Mo” and “Rudy”, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, in both the U.S. and Germany.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Don R. Comley; her parents, Hermann and Elfriede Klimke Strei; her sisters, Brigitte, Ursula and Elfi; and three of her nephews.
Gisela was born March 27, 1927, in Treptow an der Rega, Greifenberg, i. Pom (Stettin), Pomerania, Germany. She spent her childhood in the city of Kohlberg, Germany, and at their family “guesthouse” on the Baltic Sea in Treptower Deep (Mrzezyno) during the summer months.
On March 18, 1945, Gisela’s 18th birthday, and near the end of World War II, her family fled their home in Kohlberg on foot. They travelled many days and lived as refugees for an extended period, eventually settling in Göttingen.
After the war, Gisela attended the University of Hamburg, where she received a nursing degree. After college she worked at the Max Planck Institute for a brief period, however, the majority of her career was as an operating room nurse in both Germany and the U.S.
On November 13, 1956, at the age of 28, Gisela arrived in Houston, Texas, by ship (the Witmarsum). Shortly after arriving, she joined her sister, Elfi, at the University of Texas in Galveston, where they both served as nurses. Gisela became a U.S. Citizen in 1962, and decided to make this country her home.
Gisela met Don Comley on the tennis courts at the University of Texas, in Galveston in 1961, where Don was earning an oral surgery degree. After he finished his residency, Don proposed to Gisela and returned to Morgantown to open up his own dental practice. They were married in December of 1963 and Gisela was widowed in 1974. She subsequently remained in Morgantown until this past year when she moved in with her daughter in Arlington.
In her younger years, Gisela was an avid skier, equestrian, sailor, and world traveler seeking adventure via the high seas. Later she continued traveling with her daughter, sisters and many friends, while remaining an avid reader and seeker of knowledge throughout.
Gisela also enjoyed baking, gardening, tennis, golf, playing bridge, investing, and enjoying her many furry friends. She owned and rescued many animals during her life journey to include horses, dogs and cats – Siamese cats being her favorites!
During the last few years of her life, Gisela enjoyed spending time with her daughter, reading the daily paper, tinkering in the garden, playing Backgammon on her iPad, and listening to classical music.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 3, in Dering- Henson Funeral Home. A private service and burial for the family will be held at East Oak Grove Cemetery.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dering-henson.com.
