Obituary of Hanna H. Gsteiger

Hanna H. (Kappeler) Gsteiger passed away at her home in Indialantic on September 8, 2009. Born September 17, 1920, in Zurich, Switzerland and raised by a homemaker and journalist, she emigrated to the United States in 1960 with her husband Kurt and three children. After living in Beverly, Massachusetts, Tarpon Springs and Gainesville, Florida, she and Kurt settled in Indialantic in 1975. When her children were in high school, Hanna became a licensed real estate broker and worked for many years in the real estate business in Brevard County. A committed feminist and political progressive, she supported many causes including The League of Women Voters, Brandeis University, and Amnesty International. In addition, during the 1980's she actively worked to protect women from harassment by anti-choice protesters at the Aware Women's Center for Choice. Hanna was involved for many years with the Brevard Chamber Music Society and the Central Florida Swiss Club. An avid art collector, she was a strong supporter of local artists. She will be remembered for her idealistic outlook on life, her belief in higher education and humanism, her love of travel, reading and animals, and her compassion towards others. But beyond her accomplishments outside the home, she will best be remembered for her unending love, guidance, patience and care towards her husband and children. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Kurt; her sister, Ruth Pfeiffer of Adliswil, Switzerland; her children, Urs Gsteiger and daughter-in-law, Darcy of North Carolina; Eve Duddy and son-in-law, John of Australia; and Yvonne Gsteiger; and her grandchildren, Alex Duddy, Erin Duddy, Marcie Gsteiger-Cox and Camille Gsteiger-Cox. A gathering will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 12, 2009 at Beach Funeral Home, Indian Harbour Beach, with the service to follow at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to CITA or Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.