Eva Maria Gerdts, 60

Eva Maria Gerdts died Feb. 4 after a 13-month struggle with carcinoma.

She was born Feb. 18, 1949 in Langenargen, Germany, the only child of Bela and Liesel Szelenyi.

She emigrated from Germany in 1952, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1957.

She graduated as class Valedictorian from St. Joseph’s Academy, in Portland, Maine.

She met George Gerdts in 1967 and they were married in September 1970.

Eva was a fashion model after graduating from Brown University in 1971. Her only child, Caitlin Elisabeth, was born September 1980.

George and Eva moved to Bainbridge Island in 1983 where she worked for the U.S. Postal Service, BITV and the Farmers’ Market. She helped found Hyla Middle School.

She is survived by her father Bela Szelenyi; husband George Gerdts; and daughter Caitlin.

A funeral Mass is at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lung Cancer Alliance, 888 16th St. NW, Suite 150, Washington, D.C. 20006.