WAYLAND: Jutta Kitty Olympia (Merkel) Gerendas passed into eternity on May 8, 2021. She is now rejoicing with her Lord Jesus and also with Tom, her beloved husband of 54 years.
Jutta was born on August 4, 1936, in Berlin, Germany. The family moved to Poland as part of the Nazi plan to “Germanize” the conquered territories. When the Russians invaded Poland, they fled, first to relatives in Germany, and then to Austria. After the war, they returned to Germany, becoming refugees in their own country.
Jutta trained as a dietitian and kitchen manager. In 1959, she emigrated to Montreal, Canada, and worked at Montreal General Hospital. Although she had lived in Germany during and after the war, Jutta had never been told about Hitler’s plan to eliminate the Jews. It was at the hospital that she met Jews and heard their stories. In the midst of her sense of guilt of being part of such a culture, she recalled what she had heard about the love of God. She committed herself to Jesus and received the life He had won for her. A few months later, she met Tom Gerendas, a Hungarian Jew who had also put his faith in Jesus.
Tom and Jutta began their married life in Montreal. They had two daughters when they moved to the Boston area. Their third daughter was born when they were living in Arlington. They settled in Wayland in 1974. For twenty years, she ran a daycare in their home for which there was always a waiting list. Tom and Jutta were blessed to live out their years on Bow Road, with neighbors who became treasured friends. Walks on Bow Road included warm conversations with everyone she encountered, and sometimes a tune on her harmonica.
The family attended Park Street Church in Boston for 53 years. Jutta led the nursery ministry and was an active participant in the after-service prayer ministry. She enveloped newcomers with love, a bright sparkle in her eyes, and a sweet sense of humor. Her compassion and understanding made others comfortable in her presence.
Her hospitality was legendary. She remembered well what it was like to be far from her country and family and often invited, even at the last minute, anyone she learned would be alone for a holiday. Many of these guests became life-long friends. She loved celebrating birthdays - gifts were beautifully wrapped with a fresh flower and a personal note.
Jutta adored her grandchildren and cared for them for many years after retirement from daycare. She had a beautiful voice and loved singing them to sleep with hymns and German lullabies.
She was known for her creativity. She wrote poetry, painted beautifully in the Tyrolean motif, and loved to knit, teaching these skills to Wayland students in afterschool programs as well as the Women's Benevolent Society at church. She loved to waltz and took dance lessons until two weeks before her passing. Jutta loved nature, and never missed an opportunity to bring to the attention of another the song of a bird or the beauty of the moon.
Jutta spent her life encouraging others on their personal life journey and showing them the love of God and it's redemptive effect on her life.
She leaves behind three daughters, Esther Gerendas of Wayland, Maria (Gerendas) O'laughlin of Hingham, and Rebecca (Gerendas) Hansen of Beverly, two sons-in-law, David O'laughlin and Gregg Hansen, four grandchildren, Aiden and Hannah O'laughlin, Andrew and Elizabeth Hansen, two sisters, Elke Ragnarsson of Skokloster, Sweden, and Heidi Lanzerstorfer of Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada, and countless others who have known her love.
A book telling Tom’s and Jutta’s stories is available on Amazon. Tom and Jutta – a Jewish Boy of Hungary, an Aryan Girl of Germany – the Story of Tom and Jutta Gerendas, as told to Barbara W. Pless.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to The Wilberforce International School of Poverty Alleviation and Development (WISPAD) based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. wispad.org
Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland. For condolences please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.