Elfriede Pagels
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
Elfriede M. Pagels
August 16, 1926 – August 18, 2020
Safe in the arms of Jesus
Born Elfriede Maria Emma Borowski to Arnold and Frida Borowski (nee Panzer) near StolpmÜnde, Germany (modern day Ustka, Poland) on the beautiful Baltic Coast, she lived a life full of love, and joy, always thinking of others before herself. Her children, and grandchildren learned love, forgiveness, personal ethics, courage and faith from her in everything she said and did. It can be said with truthfulness, that she earned the title of “Matriach” with which she endowed herself in her later years.
When advancing Russian troops, with accompying lawlessness, forced her and her family to flee their homeland, Elfriede did so with the same courage and determination which brought her further in life than she could ever have imagined. She met the love of her life Werner H. Pagels shortly afterwards and together they escaped communism by following her family to Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany in 1947, where their two children were born. With the little ones in tow, no money, and abundance of faith and high hopes they emigrated to Canada in 1953 to a new life and new adventures in a wild and beautiful land.
Elfried lived her last 21 years on the west coast of Bitish Columbia near her children, and grandaughter. The last 11 years were spent at Langley Senior Village, where she continued to live independenlty, going shopping on her scooter, making many friends and being lovingly cared for by the wonderful, compassionate staff.
Elfriede is predeceased by her loving husband Werner, her parents Arnold and Frida Borowski of Edmonton and her brother Lotar Borowski of Germany.
She is survived by her children Hans-Werner Pagels (Margitta) of Abbotsford, BC and Regina Bailey (Gary) of Aldergrove, BC. Grandchildren Matthew Pagels (Amber) of Edmonton and Leah Pagels-Argue (Geoffery) of Vancouver. Sister Elisabeth Albert of Sydney, BC. and Brother Johannes Borowski (Ortrud) Germany. Five Great Grandchildren, Ruby, Juno, Levi, Lola and Gwenevere (and one to join us soon), as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Canada and Germany.
She will be missed forever by all.,,,,,,,Until we meet again.
Elfriede M. Pagels
16. August 1926 - 18. August 2020
Sicher in den Armen Jesu
Elfriede Maria Emma Borowski wurde als Tochter von Arnold und Frida Borowski
(geborene Panzer) in der Nähe von StolpmÜnde, Deutschland (heutiges Ustka, Polen) an der wunderschönen Ostseeküste geboren. Sie lebte ein Leben voller Liebe und Freude und dachte immer an andere vor sich. Ihre Kinder und Enkelkinder lernten von ihr Liebe, Vergebung, persönliche Ethik, Vertrauen und Mut in alles, was sie sagte und tat. Mit Wahrhaftigkeit kann gesagt werden, dass sie den Titel „Matriach“ erhielt, mit dem sie sich in ihren späteren Jahren ausstattete.
Als die vorrückenden russischen Truppen sie und ihre Familie unter Begleitung der Gesetzlosigkeit zur Flucht aus ihrer Heimat zwangen, tat Elfriede dies mit demselben Mut und derselben Entschlossenheit, die sie im Leben weiter gebracht hatten, als sie es sich jemals hätte vorstellen können. Kurz darauf lernte sie die Liebe ihres Lebens Werner H. Pagels kennen und zusammen entkamen sie dem Kommunismus, indem sie ihrer Familie in 1947 nach Schleswig-Holstein folgten, wo ihre beiden Kinder geboren wurden. Mit den Kleinen im Schlepptau, ohne Geld, eine Fülle des Glaubens,
und großen Hoffnungen wanderten sie 1953 nach Kanada aus, um ein neues Leben und neue Abenteuer in einem wilden und schönen Land zu beginnen.
Elfriede lebte ihre letzten 21 Jahre an der Westküste von British Columbia in der Nähe ihrer Kinder und ihrer Enkelin. Die letzten 11 Jahre verbrachte sie im Langley Senior Village, wo sie weiterhin unabhängig lebte, mit ihrem scooter einkaufen ging, viele Freunde fand und von den wunderbaren, mitfühlenden Mitarbeitern liebevoll betreut wurde.
Elfriede ist verstorben von ihrem geliebten Ehemann Werner, ihren Eltern Arnold und Frida Borowski aus Edmonton und ihrem Bruder Lotar Borowski aus Deutschland.
Sie wird von ihren Kindern Hans-Werner Pagels (Margitta) aus Abbotsford, BC und Regina Bailey (Gary) aus Aldergrove, BC überlebt. So wie ihrem Enkel Matthew Pagels (Amber) aus Edmonton und Leah Pagels-Argue (Geoffery) aus Vancouver, Schwester Elisabeth Albert von Sydney, BC. und Bruder Johannes Borowski (Ortrud) Deutschland und Fünf Urenkel, Ruby, Juno, Levi, Lola und Gwenevere (und eines, das bald zu uns kommt) sowie zahlreiche Nichten und Neffen in Kanada und Deutschland.
Sie wird für immer von allen vermisst werden. ,,,,,, Bis wir uns wieder sehen.
You are invited to leave a personal message for the family.
Tante Elfriede was a wonderful confidante and friend to me and I will truly miss our calls and lengthy discussions about life and really just about anything... Robert and I are deeply saddened by Elfriede's passing and our hearts go out to her family....who was most dear to her. May our prayers ease the pain of your loss and may she rest in peace... May the love of God give you peace and may the memories of Elfriede remain in your heart and give you strength.
~ Robert and Barbara
Elfriede was my mother and I know that this is for messages of condolence to the family. I would like to express my deepest condolence to my niece Leah and nephew Matthew and their children at the loss of their Oma who was always a most loving and supportive presence in their lives. No one could have loved them more or cared so much for their happiness than their Oma. She can never be replaced but we are all so very blessed to have had her in our lives. No one is perfect but she gave us all everything she could and she will be missed forever by all of us.
~ Regina E Bailey
My (our) oma was the best. I have so many memories of her because she knew the importance of staying close and keeping in touch. She cared deeply for us, and her great grandchildren, and it showed in every card, visit, and call. Her eyes had love in them that reflected back at you all her pride and joy of just being with her family. We miss you already until we meet again.
~ Matt Pagels
Our beloved Oma was the best grandmother my brother and I, as well as our children, could have had. I was in my thirties when I realized I had never had to buy myself pajamas because Oma always bought them for me. Whenever I felt lonely or had news to share, she was always on the other end of the phone to talk to. Every Christmas, Easter and birthday was remembered and special because she would make sure a card was in the mail. Our favorite thing to do during visits was to have tea, eat cookies and pour over family albums as Oma told me stories about our family and life in Germany.
I am forever grateful to have had such a wonderful woman for my grandmother and her loss is felt deeply by her family, friends and community. Love you Oma, always.