Obituary of Gisela Catherine Jakubowski

Gisela Catherine Jakubowski of Hawthorn Road peacefully passed away in the presence of her family on Sunday, February 4, 2018. She was 74.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany on March 6, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Frieda (Heizler) Weigel and the step-daughter of Liesbeth Weigel. Gisela and her parents immigrated to the United States when she was 6 years old.
She graduated from Jersey City Medical Center School of Nursing in Jersey City, NJ with an RN degree and worked as an ICU nurse for several years after graduation. She married Dr. Michael Jakubowski on August 6, 1966 and focused on building a home and family that included four children.  The family moved to Hawthorn Rd in Niskayuna in 1976.  When her children were older, Gisela returned to college and obtained a BA in Creative Art Therapy from Russell Sage College.  Chinese Brush Painting was a favorite art form of hers.  After graduating Suma cum Laude, she was employed as an Art Instructor at St. Helen’s School and a co-supervisor of the St. Helen’s after school program. 
A dedicated advocate of community service, she participated in a number of service projects. Gisela was a member of the Alliance of the Medical Society of the County of Schenectady, the Medical Society of the State of New York, and the AMA. She was an active member and Eucharistic Minister at the St. Helen’s Church, now St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, on Union Street. She served as a founding Committee Member for Niska-Day and also served on the Committee of the Schenectady Heart Ball for which she was honored at a Heart Ball event for her work. In addition, she originated the Iroquois Middle School German Night in collaboration with the German teacher and several other parents. Gisela also volunteered at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, the Schenectady Museum, and the Rosendale School greenhouse. In her spare time she enjoyed knitting and traveling, especially taking long road trips with her husband. She was an avid reader. 
Survivors, in addition to her husband of 51 years Dr. Michael Jakubowski of Schenectady, include her children Susan M. Jakubowski of Santa Clara, CA, Stanley M. (Claudia Whalen) Jakubowski of Portland, ME, Christian A. (CaroleAnn Morrison) Jakubowski  and Michael F. (Danielle Vincent) Jakubowski both of Niskayuna, and her two grandchildren, Stanislaus “Stash” Jakubowski and Arya Jakubowski. She is also survived by her brother, Ekkehard “Ekke” Kruger of Greenbrook, NJ, her two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Theodore A. and Bernadette Jakubowski and Stanley S. and Ellen Jakubowski and their children and grandchildren, and several cousins in Germany.
Gisela was often described as cheerful, kind, elegant, generous, and humble. She enjoyed giving of herself and sharing all things. Her final gift was in the donation of her body to the Albany Medical College.
A memorial service will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, 1803 Union Street, Schenectady, 12309. Burial will be at a later date after the return of her remains from the Albany Medical College.
Donations in Gisela’s memory may be made to the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School, 1801 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12309.