We deeply regret to announce that our former colleague Erika Gisel, PhD, OTR, Professor Emerita at the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy (SPOT), recently passed away. A leader in her field of occupational therapy (OT), Prof. Gisel was a precious friend and mentor to many students and faculty.
Eulogy (by Cynthia Perlman): Born in Winterthur, Switzerland on May 24, 1942, Erika was the only child of Friedrich Gisel and Erica Violette Phetzer. She is survived by her cousins, Marcel Gisel, residing in Switzerland, and Lars Gisel, residing in Sweden.
Her Swiss roots remained close to her heart and her vision for life. She loved the outdoors, nature, and animals. Erika was an avid hiker and adventurer and enjoyed many travels with her hiking buddies, who called themselves “The Tough Old Birds.”
Erika began her career in textile arts (BA in textile arts Arbeitslehrerinnen Seminar in Zurich, Switzerland)- she embraced the artistry and the value of using one’s hands to craft and create – a natural pull to OT.
She had drive, vision and ambition – remarkable for a post-war woman. She was truly a feminist and an independent woman of her time. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in OT and went on to complete her PhD (Biology) both at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Erika’s academic pursuits brought her to SPOT in 1983 and she secured an appointment. Erika taught many undergraduate and graduate students in OT and rehabilitation science from 1983 to 2010. She was highly revered in her teaching, research and clinical collaborations. Her research interests and contributions focused on the assessment and treatment of children with neurologically based eating impairments. She studied early markers of oral sensory problems in infants with feeding disabilities, as well as the influence of repetitive behaviours on motor development in children who present with autism spectrum disorders.
She ended her career with the highest honourable ranking of Professor Emerita.
Erika was a long-term member of the congregation at the Mount Royal United Church. Her meaningful participation offered her worship, spirituality and community. She cherished the arts. She loved music, played the violin and had season tickets to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra for many years, which she enjoyed immensely.
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