We are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Tracie Bernice Gerbrandt (A.K.A. “Lupi”, “Tulu-tulu”, “Auntie Sway”, “Tontie”, "Loops", “Tadie”, "Gerb"). Born March 7, 1981 in Vancouver, BC, she passed through to the other side August 7, 2020 in Surrey, BC. She is survived by her parents Walter & Anni-Marie Gerbrandt, brothers with their spouses, Ron & Jessica Gerbrandt and Stephen & Wendy Gerbrandt, sister Stephanie Gerbrandt, two nieces, two nephews, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is the much loved youngest daughter, little sister, sister-in-law, and auntie:  she was incredibly generous, loving, out-going, compassionate, full of life, and loveable through and through. 

Tracie moved from Vancouver to Delta at the age of 6.  She became a believer in Jesus at age 9:  she loved God so much and received the gift of salvation provided by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection.  This central truth shaped her life and helped her to live free from the things that could easily ensnare the lives of young people.  She was baptised at the age of 12 and her faith in Jesus guided her choices and behaviour toward others.  She walked close with God and lived the principles of the Bible, dedicating her life to serving Him through her acts of kindness and love. She extended her compassion to strangers, as well as to those dear to her.

As a young child, she admired pianists and vocalists in Bethel Church in Vancouver, BC, and she aspired to become a worship music leader.  She studied piano since the age of 11 and studied music throughout high school, graduating from North Delta Senior Secondary in 1999.  She continued her musical studies at the University of British Columbia and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 2006, with a major in clarinet and minor in piano studies. During her studies and afterwards, her focus was on teaching young students piano, clarinet, and voice, and she did so from 2006 onwards, and well into 2018.   Throughout her years of study and work, she attended Surrey Pentecostal Assembly in Surrey, BC, where she also impacted the lives of youth and many church members through worship music leading and generously serving others with her time.

She touched the lives of many of the young students she taught — she was not only a teacher, but a mentor and close friend to them.  They are devastated alongside family members and close friends. In the past two years, she was eager to move to Chilliwack, where she looked forward to leading worship in Central Pentecostal Assembly and restarting her teaching career after recovering from illness.  

Her suffering with ovarian cancer since 2018 until August 7, 2020 was not in vain.  She was a shining example of faith and perseverance.  She held up faith for healing till the very last moment — not a doubt in her mind that God would heal her and she would recover completely. The simple, yet profoundly true words imprinted on her heart were: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!

She fell unconscious on Friday, August 7.  Her eyes were closed from the morning onwards, but twenty minutes before she passed through at 2:50pm, she opened her eyes wide several times.  She “saw” the glorious land and was given the choice — come back or stay with Jesus? She chose to be with Jesus.  Could we blame her?  No chance God would send her back once she made her choice.   Being with Jesus is so much better than life on this earth!  The Bible declares that we are not to lose heart in our prayers because God avenges His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and though our Lord bears long with us in our requests, He will answer speedily… and indeed at that moment she speedily passed from suffering to eternal life and joy forevermore.  Her eternal rewards are following after her, through the lives she touched. She has left a legacy behind. Tracie will be greatly missed — our hearts ache at this separation, but we are comforted that she is relieved from this world’s troubles. One day really soon, all of us who are believers in Jesus will see her again.  

During her life, Tracie shared her beliefs and faith with others; therefore, as her family, we know that she would desire us at this time to convey to all that they consider her short life, examine their own hearts, consider how brief life is on this earth, and make that decision to believe in Jesus and receive Him into their hearts—this is the only decision on this earth that has eternal significance! The choice is entirely up to you. God gives us all the free will to choose Him.

A public viewing will be held at Henderson’s Funeral Home in Chilliwack, BC on Tuesday, August 18 from 3:30-5:00pm. Funeral services are by invitation only and will be held at Central Pentecostal Assembly in Chilliwack, BC, on Wednesday, August 19 at 10:00am (for family) and 2:00pm (for friends and students).  Pall bearers will be Ron Gerbrandt, Stephen Gerbrandt, Gary Gerbrandt, Dennis Klassen, Jonathan Howard, and Helmut Hoock.  She will be buried at Yarrow Mennonite Cemetery in Yarrow, BC, following the 10:00am service. 

A live stream will be broadcasted for the 10:00am service and also for the burial to follow.  

Please click here to see service information and to join the live stream.

Because of Tracie’s love in mentoring young children, the family would request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to Stella’s Voice, a charity dedicated to protecting the world’s most vulnerable from traffickers.