Charlotte “Lottie” Gernitz

June 28, 1936 – February 24, 2026

Charlotte Olga Gernitz (née Jeran), also known as ‘Lottie’ passed away peacefully on February
24th, 2026 at the age of 89, surrounded by loved ones.

Daughter of Brigitte and Max Jeran, sister of Maxi Jeran, Lottie was born in Klagenfurt, Austria.
Growing up during the war was challenging, but from a young age she demonstrated
unwavering love and an immense strength of character, working from age 12 onwards to help
support her single mother and brother. Despite these difficult circumstances, she spoke fondly
of her hometown and shared many happy memories of her life in Klagenfurt, from summers
spent swimming in the Wörthersee to dancing at the local ballroom.

In 1958 Lottie came to Canada, where she started a new life in Toronto. One of her first jobs
there was working as a hostess at Murray’s Restaurant, where she met her future husband,
Peter. In the following years Lottie worked in various administrative roles at Kuhne & Nagel,
Mold Masters, H&R Block and Loblaws, where she came in every day with a warm smile and
friendly greeting for everyone.

This attitude extended to her personal life as well, with her gentle, compassionate spirit
touching the lives of all she met. Lottie always found joy and pride in her family, mother to
Brenda (Pierre Collins), and a loving “Omi” to Ashley and Emily, always giving her love, 
patience, and dedication. Education was something Omi deeply valued and she always supported 
her families’ academic aspirations. Music and dance remained life long passions for Omi which she 
also passed on to her family, from dancing around the house with her grandchildren to watching the 
Lawrence Welk Show and the Sound of Music together every Christmas.

Lottie was known for her wonderful smile, kindness, generosity, and for giving the best hugs
ever. Close friends of the family described her as ‘a sweet, kind woman’ and ‘the loveliest
human’. She will be remembered as a kind, generous spirit who gave her love freely to others,
and her family will forever cherish the memories they shared together.

She is survived by her husband of over sixty-six years, Peter Gernitz, as well as her daughter,
Brenda ‘Bren’ Gernitz, and granddaughters Ashley Gernitz-Bennett and Emily Gernitz-Bennett. 

A celebration of life will be held on June 28th, 2026 in Halton Hills for family and friends to
reminisce and share our fond memories of her, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may 
be made in memory of Lottie to Breast Cancer Canada or the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.