An elderly couple who were married for 67 years have died just 41 hours apart, with their family saying they 'could not live without each other'. Geoff and Gerrie Gradus, who ran a well-known Kosher shop in Cliftonville, Margate, passed away in December. Geoff, 89, died at home surrounded by loved ones after suffering from frailty. Gerrie, 86, died suddenly less than two days later.
A Love That Endured
Their youngest daughter Ruth believes her mother 'could not cope' with life without her husband. 'Everyone says that they've never met a couple so in love,' she said. 'They were always holding hands. My dad was always giving mum a kiss. They were really sweet together.'
The couple met while Gerrie was on holiday in Cliftonville aged 17, and she wed Geoff three years later. Their marriage began with heartbreak, as they lost their first two babies – twins – at birth. They went on to have four more children and became known in Thanet's Jewish community for their shop G's Stores, which Geoff's parents had previously run.
A Community Pillar
The grocer's, butcher's and delicatessen was loved in Cliftonville for its doughnuts and cheesecake. But with the rise of supermarkets in the 1980s, they sadly had to sell the store. The couple then bought and ran Wychdene Residential Home in Broadstairs.
Ruth said: 'They were really caring. They were very much involved – hands-on. They used to take the residents out for trips and have people come in and do shows for them.' The couple faced more tragedy when their son Spencer died in a freak ride-on mower accident in 2016.
Geoff and Gerrie had always been involved in the local community, particularly with Margate Swimming Club of which Geoff was chairman. This increased with his retirement after 15 years at the care home.
Together Until the End
'They did everything together, literally to the end,' Ruth said. 'They used to play a lot of bridge; they did bowls. They always were very much involved in the committees of all of these places.'
'My grandfather was president of Margate Synagogue, and then my father took over when he died. He and my mum used to do lots of fundraising for the synagogue and quizzes. They used to do loads of catering and events, and no one would kind of leave anything without a full belly, which I think is a Jewish thing.'
'You couldn't really go anywhere without people stopping and talking to them, which was lovely. They were much-loved and deeply respected members of the community.'
The pair also took in young exchange students wanting to improve their English. Jutta Bick, who recalls being sent to Cliftonville for holidays as a child, shared memories of the couple. 'A whole bus full of teenagers from Germany – overtired after a long journey – arrived in Cliftonville one morning in the summer of 1977,' she said. 'Everyone was waiting for 'their' family, and then a woman stepped onto the bus, a radiant smile on her face that immediately conveyed good cheer and a sense of welcome. Every single one of us hoped to be picked up by that very woman. It was Gerrie Gradus, and three wonderful weeks began.'
'Every single day of these holidays – spent within this large, shared family – was a gift to me, and to every one of us young people. When the holidays came to an end, and I had to begin my journey home, it was a painful farewell to a wonderful time, to a new and extended family, but above all, to an incredibly warm-hearted person – Gerrie.'
Later Years and Legacy
In their later years, the couple – who were grandparents and great-grandparents – stayed very involved in local events and were dedicated members of Walpole Bay Bowls Club. Geoff – president of the club – worked tirelessly to secure a Sport England grant to fund the building of a clubhouse. Gerrie was also heavily involved in the committee after retiring from playing herself. Even in his old age, Geoff was passionate about catering and would buy food in bulk from the cash and carry to sell on to friends and neighbours.
Ruth added: 'They will always be remembered as a couple who gave so much to their community – and who remained side by side until the very end.' Following their deaths, the couple were buried together in a joint service at Margate Jewish Cemetery.
