Obituaries

Gerda El-Tawil, nee Jonassen, of Danville Pennsylvania passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 23, 2026. Gerda was born on February 26, 1941, in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was the fifth of seven children born to Hariard Gustav Jonassen, a hardworking metalworker and mechanic, and Anna Marie Jonassen, a creative and industrious woman who had grown up in the Danish countryside, where her father served as the local postmaster and tended fruit trees.

From an early age, Gerda loved standing near the harbor, looking out over the water and wondering what lay beyond. Little did she know she was going to see what was beyond the sea in due time. Independent, thoughtful, and quietly adventurous, she carried that spirit throughout her life.

As a young woman, Gerda had little interest in dating. A friend convinced her to accompany her to gatherings where young doctors met to discuss books and ideas. Gerda went reluctantly, more interested in the conversations than romance. Among those young physicians was an Egyptian doctor, Mahfouz, Yusef El-Tawil affectionately known as Mimi, who admired her from afar. After meeting her father and a three-month courtship, Gerda and Mimi were married on September 5, 1959, in Hans Tausens Kirke church.

Gerda and Mimi traveled the world and lived in many countries, starting out in Denmark, then on to England, Egypt, Nigeria, the USA (Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania), Saudi Arabia, back to Denmark before returning to the USA (Arizona, Pennsylvania).

Gerda enjoyed reading books, knitting and gardening. One thing that always accompanied Gerda through life was something green and growing. Even when there was no garden to tend, she filled windowsills, shelves, and sunny corners with thriving houseplants. She seemed unable to live in a place without nurturing life and could bring any spot to life with her vision for planting. For Gerda, a home was never complete until something was blooming.

Gerda is survived by her loving children and their spouses, Kim & Karen El-Tawil (Kingsland, Texas), Mark & Lisa El-Tawil (Gilbert, Arizona) and Deena & TJ Raybuck (Shamokin, Pennsylvania), 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

The family will hold a small Celebration of Life gathering for friends and family at a date yet to be determined. Gerda lived her last 10 years in Danville, PA and the family of Gerda “Tetta” El-Tawil would like to thank the many medical staff, neighbors and friends for the care and love she experienced in that time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the incredible care teams led by Dr. David Rolston and Dr. Rajiv Prasanna Panikkar at Geisinger Medical Center- https://geisinger.honortoday.org/

Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home, Inc 42 West Mahoning Street Danville PA 17821. www.visneski.com.