A major evacuation took place in Calgary June 20 as floodwaters swept over low-lying areas, including in Mission where Lorraine Gerlitz lived. Gerlitz had told authorities she had a place to go, but something happened and the 83-year-old woman never got out of the flood zone.

"We don't know enough about what really happened that fateful evening," said her niece Linda Resch.

"What contributing factors took place for Lorraine to stay and subsequently be trapped in her condo remains a mystery. Lorraine's friends are still in shock and deeply saddened by what took place."

She was found in her ground-level apartment on June 23 after friends had returned to check on her at The Vineyards building on 25 Avenue S.W.

"It was a sad day when I found out what happened to her," said her neighbour and close friend Yvonne Scott.

She had thought Lorraine was leaving with a woman who lived in an apartment above. The next day, Scott tried to contact their upstairs neighbour, but like so many others in Calgary displaced from the rising waters, she was hard to reach.

"You know how you get that sort of queasy feeling, and then my son came to me and said, 'You better sit down mom, I have some news and it's not too good,'" she said.

Scott remembers saying goodbye to Lorraine in the hallway.

"And we both hugged. I don't know if we maybe realized we might not see each other again. I thought we would," she said.

Calgarians at heart

Both raised in Calgary, Scott and Gerlitz were born only four years apart.

Gerlitz had moved to the apartment building near Mission's busy restaurant district after her husband Henry passed away. She soon met Scott and a special friendship grew.

"She was the first person I met actually. She came out to meet me," said Scott.

The pair kept each other company. They both loved the area and enjoyed going shopping, out for lunch, or taking care of the flower pots outside.

"You can't tell now because of the flood damage, but we enjoyed having it neat and clean," she said.

Scott said they loved to laugh.

"There was something there that just sealed the friendship," she said.

A longtime Salvation Army volunteer, Gerlitz believed in charities and helping others.

She was always a big supporter of the Calgary Humane Society, which still has a memorial fund in her name.

Cat rescued from floodwaters

"She just adored her cats," Scott said.

When her pet Posey died from cancer, Gerlitz rescued another cat from the shelter and named it Lucy.

The tabby was found after the flood on top of the cupboards in Gerlitz's kitchen, and her friends were able to find the animal a happy home.

Scott said she will be glad when the anniversary of the flood has passed.

"I don't think it will flood [again this year]. It's Lorraine I miss the most. She would always kind of have her door open," she said.

Officials have deemed her death as an accidental drowning.

Police Chief Rick Hanson said Calgary has never dealt with an evacuation order of that magnitude ever.

He said an investigation was launched into Gerlitz's death.

"There is no blame to be assigned to anyone in this case," said Hanson. "But I can tell you it did hit us hard, because we were hoping we would get through this without any fatalities."

He said deepest condolences from the Calgary Police Service go out to Gerlitz's friends and family.

"Our hearts are still with them right now," said Hanson.

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