Renate Gessouroun

Renate Gessouroun, age 86, of Conowingo, MD, passed away on August 14, 2022. She was born in Germany on July 25, 1936 to the late Max and Frieda (Neubert) Bick.

Renate was born in pre-war Germany. Renate survived the Second World War despite substantial hardships and emigrated with her parents and brother to the United States in 1952 and settled in Baltimore, MD by the Associated Jewish Charities.

She met the love of her life, Rafael (Ralph) Gessouroun, who was a Greek émigré from war-torn Europe while both were enrolled learning English in night school. In 1954, Rafael and Renate got married and have lived their whole lives in Maryland. Over the course of time, they started their own family.

Renate who went by Renee, loved to sew. Early in her married life, Renee sewed many of her and her children’s clothing. In her free time, she enjoyed doing crafts and cooking. Renee was known for many of her favorite specialties, that have been carried on with her children and grandchildren. In the 40’s-50’s, Ralph and Renee took great joy spending time hiking and spent many weekends exploring areas in Maryland. Later in her life, she struggled with several maladies that limited her mobility and so she spent her time at home under the care of her husband until her peaceful passing.

Renee is survived by her beloved husband of 68 years, Rafael (Ralph) Gessouroun; three children: Morris (Cindy) Gessouroun, David (Maria) Gessouroun, and Bonnie (Peter) Woods; five grandchildren: Andrew (Alix) Gessouroun, Megan (Matthew) Lambert, Ryan (Rachel) Gessouroun, April Gessouroun, and Landon Gessouroun; four great grandchildren: Abigail Gessouroun, William Gessouroun, Olivia Gessouroun, and Eloise Gessouroun.

In addition to her parents, Renee is preceded in death by her two siblings: Ditmar Bick and Edeltraut Hoelscher.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.