Gisela H. E. Kemp (Rabl), 75, of Blairsville, PA (formerly of Munich, Germany), passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026 surrounded by loved ones at Canterbury Place in Pittsburgh, PA. She was born on March 6, 1951 to Liesel (Scholz) Rabl and Peter Alois Rabl in Munich, Germany. Known throughout the community by a title she wore with great pride, Gisela was affectionately recognized by everyone as “that German lady who works on computers and bakes cookies.” Her distinctive German accent was an unforgettable part of who she was. Gisela lived a life of boundless energy, incredible talent, and tireless creativity, with hands that were rarely still. She had a brilliant, curious mind and a true passion for working on, building, and upgrading computers. Whether she was assembling a new system from scratch or boosting hardware performance, she loved diving into the tech world. Her greatest joy came from building and upgrading computers specifically to give away to people she knew couldn’t afford them at the time, bridging gaps and blessing others with her generosity. Beyond her love for technology, she poured her patience and care into the earth, finding deep peace and fulfillment in tending to her vibrant garden. Her kitchen was another favorite space, frequently filled with the delicious scent of freshly baked cookies prepared especially for family, friends, and special events. Her creative spirit also shone brightly through her love of making crafts, sewing intricate projects, and crocheting beautiful pieces for those she cherished. Gisela loved to help those around her and it brought her so much joy. Whether she was troubleshooting a computer for someone in need, handing out a fresh batch of cookies, or sharing a warm conversation in her beloved accent—she poured love into every single thing she did and left the world far brighter than she found it.
She is survived by her six children: Ingrid Kemp (Thayer Park), of Glendale, AZ; Michelle Kemp, of Charlotte, NC; Shawn Kemp (Jessica Kemp), of Gastonia, NC; Monika Rooks, of Charlotte, NC; Aimee Kemp (Bradon Walters), of Blairsville, PA; and Shane Kemp (Tomas Hoang) of Woodstock, GA. Grandchildren: Jackson Moncayo; Brady, Connor, and Reagan Park; and Claire and Calvin Rooks. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Ernst, Wolfgang, and Herbert Rabl, of Germany; and a granddaughter: Grace Rooks.
To honor her memory (though she requested no services), her children request that friends and family attend their father, George Kemp’s visitation from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at Carson Boyer Funeral Home in Rural Valley, PA. To honor her other wishes, there will be no funeral or burial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Burrell Township Library in her name to continue her lifelong legacy of giving back to others and to celebrate the years she spent on the library’s board. Burrell Twp. Library, PO Box 424, Black Lick, PA 15716.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ferguson Funeral Home & Monument Company, Blairsville, PA.
