Gulli Falkehag Obituary

Gulli Viktoria Sevelin Falkehag MT. PLEASANT - Gulli Viktoria Sevelin Falkehag, 81, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2013 in Columbia, SC, peacefully, in the presence of her daughters and in the embrace of great love and blessings. She was born March 18th, 1932 in Ostanvik, Sweden to the late Emil and Elin Sevelin. In 1962, she immigrated to the US as a new bride. Swedish culture and traditions continued to be an integral part of life as they started a family here. Motherhood was a source of great pride, joy, and motivation for her. Though she loved and traveled often to Sweden, America was her home. Celebrating the strength of the individual spirit that she so embodied, she applied for and received her American Citizenship. A self taught seamstress, Gulli carved a unique niche for herself in her trade which earned her great admiration for her passion, knowledge and exquisite attention to detail in the textile arts. She thoroughly enjoyed working at RTW for 32 years, retiring only this past spring. Those touched by her talents, effervescent personality, and assertive professional manner would be hard pressed not to smile on hearing her strong lilting Swedish accent, endearing her to many a long time friendship. She often said that she never could have imagined that something she did as a necessity and pastime as a young girl in Sweden would ultimately be the source of her livelihood. For this she was eternally grateful. On a constant quest for knowledge, she educated herself on many topics and never missed an opportunity for a good discussion. Beloved mother, sister, and friend, she was eternally grateful for the warmth and light of all that Charleston offered her in the form of culture, sunshine and most of all the deeply cherished friendships she forged here. Her beloved daughters and grandchildren, her work, love of the arts, self education and devotion to her numerous friendships defined and enriched her life beyond measure. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands; Kristina and Max Mandell of Columbia, S.C., and Ingrid and Rob Buell of Richmond, Va.; grandchildren; Amelia and Sophia Mandell of Columbia, S.C., and Ben and Greer Buell of Richmond, Va.; her sister, Britta Finn of Furudal, Sweden as well as additional extended family in Sweden. A private family service will be held in Columbia and a celebration of her life at a later date in Charleston. To honor her memory, her role as a sister to many and her belief that all women have the ability to empower themselves given the opportunity and support, donations in her name can be made to My Sister's House, PO Box 71171, North Charleston, SC 29415 www.mysistershouse.org Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston