Gitta Wallen
(1928-2023)
Mrs. Gitta Wallen (nee Brigitta Frolic) passed away peacefully at Cedarvale Terrace Longterm Care Home with her family at her bedside on September 11, 2023. Daughter of Max Frolic and Herta Abramovitz. Predeceased by Edward Wallen, her loving husband of 46 years. Loving mother of David (Leslie) and Andrew. Proud and devoted grandmother of Ross, Greer, Max, Henry and Hope. Big sister of Professor Bernie Frolic (Irene). Gitta was born in Berlin and arrived in Canada before the outbreak of WW2. An excellent student she attended Washington University in St. Louis. During this time she went on a blind date with our father. In 1950 they were married in Toronto and shortly after settled in Montreal. Gitta was never without a book to read and her love of literature motivated a return to university where she completed a Masters in Medieval English Literature. In 1969 her family moved to Toronto. Among her many interests was travel. Gitta and Edward were intrepid travelers taking frequent trips to European and US destinations, often with their great friends Joy and Al Rudolph and Dorothy and Eddie Stossel. Her other great love was spending summers up north at her cottage on Lynch Lake. Her first summer at the lake was in 1939. And her last was in 2021. Her family welcomes donations in her memory to The Toronto Public Library Foundation towards the purchase of crime and mystery novels, her favourites. A memorial service is planned at a later date.
Wendy Paul
Dear David, Andrew, Bernie, Irene and family,
I am sad and at a loss for words of comfort. Memories are flooding my mind. I remember visiting your family in Montreal. Your mom told me about her first date with Eddie- I’ll share more in private. Your mom audited English courses at York with my mom, My mom and yours supported each other in having to deal with strong and often opinionated mothers. Your mom made the best tiramisu for the engagement party she made for me and Sid. We stayed at Lynch Lake often – with her when Zach was a baby. It’s the end of an era…May Gitta’s memory be for a blessing.