Gerburg Maria Kanus Mowry

Mowry—Gerburg Maria Kanus Mowry, 88, on October 29, 2023, at Friends Homes retirement community in Greensboro, N.C. Gerburg was born on February 3, 1935, to Rev. Gerhard Kanus and Elisabeth Crede Kanus in Stralsund, Germany. She was the second of three children and the only daughter. As a child growing up in post-World War II Germany, Gerburg experienced the deprivations and hardships that shaped her outlook on life, with an emphasis on inner strength, self-reliance, and frugality.

Gerburg traveled at an early age, first to Sweden and the United Kingdom, and then to the United States with work-study programs sponsored by American Friends Service Committee, which was active in Germany after the war. After earning a degree in education at Paedagogische Akademie (a pedagogical academy) in Bielefeld, she took a teaching position at George School in Newtown, Pa., where she met fellow teacher Robert George “Bob” Mowry. The two married on June 10, 1960, at Providence Meeting in Media, Pa. Gerburg would remain involved in education her entire life.

After Bob accepted a teaching position at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa., the couple put down deep roots in the community. Gerburg and Bob would have three children, Christofer, Philip, and Charlotte. Gerburg taught German at Susquehanna University and Bucknell University, before becoming “Frau Mowry,” the beloved high school German teacher at Selinsgrove Area High School, from which she would retire in 2000. During her 27 years at the high school, she touched and changed the lives of hundreds of students. Gerburg remained committed to expanding their horizons, leading many summer trips to Europe and engaging them in conversations about world affairs.

Daughter Charlotte graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro. Through that connection, Gerburg and Bob became familiar with New Garden Meeting and the Quaker community. By the time of their retirement, their daughter and her children had relocated to North Carolina. Being an active member at New Garden enabled Gerburg to maintain the connection with Friends, which was an integral part of her life.

Retirement didn’t slow Gerburg down. Combining her strong desire to serve others with her love of cooking, she devoted much of her time to feeding the hungry at the Greensboro Urban Ministry (GUM). Gerburg was New Garden’s official “soup dipper” at the monthly meal served at GUM. In addition, she was determined that the guests there have the healthiest meal possible. After moving to Friends Homes West, she continued to devote her life to those in need as well as to spending time with her growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was dedicated to the Quaker testimonies, especially those related to simplicity and care of the earth. She did not use an electric clothes dryer, preferring to hang laundry outdoors to dry. She was careful not to waste food. Leftovers found their way into her delicious soups, stews, or quiches.

Gerburg regularly traveled to Germany to maintain contact with her brothers and many lifelong friends.

Gerburg was predeceased by her older brother, Hans Helmhart Kanus-Crede; and younger brother, Hubertus Manfred Kanus-Crede.

She is survived by her husband, Bob Mowry; three children, Christofer Miguel Mowry, Philip George Mowry, and Charlotte Elisabeth Mowry Hicks; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.