Gertrude Gagnon

Richford, Vermont / Lawrenceville, Georgia - Gertrude Gagnon, 89, passed away quietly on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 while at home in the loving care of her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Tim Smith.

She was born Gertrude Taylor on June 3, 1924 in Salisbury, CT. Warren Morrison and Rose (Van Houten) Morrison lovingly fostered her throughout her childhood and considered her to be their daughter for their entire lives. She attended elementary school in Redding, CT and graduated from Danbury High School on 6/18/1943.
Shortly after graduation from high school, like so many young women who supported the 2nd World War effort, Gertrude took a factory job at Bridgeport Brass Company in Connecticut. It was around this time she said goodbye to her cousin (with whom she was rather smitten), Walter Van Houten, as he joined the army and was sent overseas. Walter formed a close friendship while in the service with a strapping Vermont farm boy and asked Gertrude if she would also write to Fred Gagnon since the letters from home for him were scarce. When Walter returned home, Walter and Gertrude went their separate ways, but Gertrude kept writing to Fred and a romance was kindled. When Fred returned home from Italy in December of 1945 he proposed and they were married on February 9, 1946. The city girl became the country girl when Fred brought his new bride home to help him take over the family farm.
Gertrude cared for her mother-in-law and learned the difficult life of a farm wife. She became a wonderful mother and was always a devoted wife, putting the needs of her children and husband before her own. Gertrude taught her daughters her love of sewing, reading and baking. Her home was always a welcome spot for her daughters friends - often with freshly made donuts waiting after school. In the early 60s the family ceased dairy farming as so many small farms did at that time. Gertrude took a job at Northland Hockey Stick factory and also worked in numerous sewing factories in Vermont during her life.
Gertrude loved to play Bunco and was always ready to take a trip or attend an event. She was always known as a fun loving person, easily making friends wherever she went. She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church and attended Sunday services with her daughters as they grew up. Later in life she was rarely caught without a puzzle book in her hands and loved her cat Sissy. She enjoyed planting colorful window boxes and visiting with friends and family. Having lived in Richford for over 50 years, in September 2007 she moved from her home next to her daughter, Pamela to live with her daughter, Deborah in Lawrenceville, GA. Gertrude delighted in making new friends and quickly found many devoted friends in her Georgia neighborhood and at her daughter, Deborahs church.
Gertrude was an enthusiastic member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #12 in Richford where she held many offices including President, Sgt. At Arms and Historian. She was a member for more than 58 years and received an award for membership in her 50th year. She also enjoyed membership in the 8 and 40, AARP and, as a child, 4-H.
Gertrude was predeceased by, Frederick Gagnon, her devoted husband of 50 years who rarely let a day pass without telling the world how much he loved her. She was also predeceased by her sisters Caroline (Morrison) Booth of Danbury CT and Lois Taylor.of Richford. Additionally, she said goodbye to her five adoring nephews: William Morrison, Fred Booth, Warren Booth, Gus Booth and Albert Booth, all of Danbury CT.
She is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Deborah Smith and her husband Tim of Lawrenceville, GA; April White and her husband Michael of Glenmoore, PA and Pamela Gagnon and her husband Bruce Lovelette of Berkshire, VT. Gertrude always made it clear she had a special place in her heart for all three of her sons-in-law. She is also survived by her grandsons, Trey Hooper and his wife Oksanna, and Marine Lance Corporal Kevin White, her granddaughter Lindsay White and the special apple of her eye, her great grandson, Theo Hooper and many grand nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 22, 2013 at 11:00 AM at All Saints Catholic Church, 152 Main St., Richford with Rev. Karl Hahr celebrating the Mass of Christian burial. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family in All Saints Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 7-9 PM at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls.
For those who wish, contributions in Gertrudes memory may be made to the Christian Foundation, 5959 South Sherwood Forest Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA. 70816.