Eliot, ME - After a long illness, Brigitte Gefrich passed away on Sunday, March 7 th at the age of 71. She was where she wanted to be, at her home in Eliot, Maine with a view of her gardens and Chrissy's Pond.  She was surrounded by her beloved husband of 30 years, George, close friends, and caregivers. Brigitte led a life defined by her passions which included love of her family, nature, animals, cooking, and the well-being and protection of children.

Born in Olching-Gröbenzell near Munich, Germany, Brigitte moved to the United States in 1954 with her mother Johanna Liedtke and her Stepfather George Wellington Brown. They lived in New York and Connecticut before moving to Camden, Maine. Brigitte grew up playing in the tidal pools of Penobscot Bay and climbing Mount Battie to visit her favorite spot.  After the accidental death of her first Stepfather, Brigitte's mother married internationally known Naval Architect, Geerd Hendel.

Brigitte attended Emmanuel College, Simmons University, and the University of Massachusetts in Boston where she pursued multiple studies at different times in her life. A woman of many interests and talents, Brigitte had a life filled with a variety of activities and professions.  As a young woman, she took up cheerleading, participated in multiple clubs at school, and was an award winning baker.  Later discovered as a model, Brigitte took advantage of her beauty and style and went to work for the Ford Modeling Agency in New York City, followed by contracts with Lord & Taylor and several fashion outlets in Boston. Brigitte's Grandmother, Jean M. Brown (Douglas), was a well-known fashion icon in Boston in the early to mid-1900s so modeling was in her blood. Demonstrating her diverse talents, Brigitte later owned and ran a successful Detective Agency.

Devoted to creating beauty all around her, Brigitte dedicated much of her time to indoor and outdoor design; most notably designing and cultivating her gardens in Camden, Maine;Sherborn, Massachusetts; Kensington, New Hampshire; Appleton, Maine; and most recently at her home in Eliot, Maine. Her gardens were appreciated by all who had the pleasure to view them and her gardens on Wild Pasture Road in Kensingtonwere notable enough to win an award from the Exeter Area Garden Club.  Paying careful attention to integrating her gardens into their natural settings, Brigitte cultivated gardens to support local fauna, including butterflies and bees. She carried her love of nature into many aspects of her life including her generous and continuous support of multiple charities for animals, the environment, and the preservation of natural habitats for endangered species.

Brigitte's connection with the natural world extended to the heavens through her skill with and respect of astrology.  She often did charts for those close to her and frequently filtered any unpleasant news such that the recipient wouldn't worry too much.  While Brigitte's friends and family always appreciated her insights, she sometimes kept the most private or sensitive news to herself to protect the ones she loved.

Informed by her experiences in the 60s and 70s, Brigitte participated in various causes dedicated to peace, equal rights, special needs populations, and political activism.  Her love of music was always evident and some of her favorites were Janice Joplin, James Brown, Joan Baez, and Tom Rush.  Always attuned to the needs of others, Brigitte volunteered her cooking talents for local seniors and would enjoy not only providing good food but also loving kindness through her compassionate company and beautiful smile.

A loving wife and mother, Brigitte was devoted to her family and children. She was widowed by her first husband, David Schulman, and raised her two children by him, Douglas and Tara.  As a special needs child, Tara required extra care and attention. While Brigitte dedicated herself to the care and nurturing of both of her children, she also provided Tara with the extra attention and resources she needed until Tara's accidental death in 1991.

Brigitte continued her dedication to the well-being of children by volunteering to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).  After her training, she took an oath to defend abused and neglected children and participated in the refinement of child protection laws in New Hampshire.

Brigitte's life was a lesson in authenticity. Her actions and the way she spent her time and resources left no doubt about her generosity with those in need and her dedication to cultivating beauty around her. Her love was universal and the core of her being and beliefs were always reflected in her actions.

Brigitte is survived by her husband, George Gefrich; her son, Douglas David Schulman; his wife Rebecca; and grandchildren,Arthur and Graham.  She has extended family in Hamburg and Munich, Germany and, through George, has additional family in Connecticut, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, and California.

Services will be held on Wednesday, March 17 th at 11:00 AM at St. Christopher's Catholic Church, located at 4 Barrell Lane, York, ME, 03909.  Occupancy will be limited due to social distancing requirements. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Brigitte's honor to the ASPCA, World Wildlife Fund, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Always in George's heart: May God keep and nourish my beautiful wife.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com .  Care for the Gefrich family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey & Son Funeral Home.