Gertrude "Trudy" Gibson

Elegant and invariably smiling, Trudy Gibson was a woman of great faith, wisdom and love. She lived each day with grace and intention, recording the blessings of the day in her gratitude journal. She felt herself to be truly blessed, and she always remembered to pass these blessings on to others through generous donations to many causes as well as through daily acts of kindness and love. Trudy’s adventurous spirit, gracious hospitality and genuine concern for others have inspired many people throughout the years, and touched many hearts; she was deeply loved, and will be deeply missed.

The 1910s were the decade in which America came of age – industrialization led to nationwide prosperity, American culture achieved global popularity, and American soldiers fought in World War II. Trudy was born in the last year of this landmark decade, a year also notable for the congressional approval of women’s suffrage, the introduction of daylight savings time, and the invention of the rotary dial telephone.

Benjamin R. and Florence (Clarke) Kagy became proud parents to Gertrude “Trudy” Kagy on September 21, 1919. Young Trudy passed an idyllic childhood in Salem, Illinois, where she enjoyed roller-skating and showing off her scooter. Trudy loved spending the summers at her grandparents’ home in Elgin Club at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She had a fond memory of helping to deliver mail around the lake on the mail boat – each delivery involved exciting, death defying leaps from the boat to the homeowners’ docks.

In 1931, Trudy moved to Oak Park, Illinois where she attended classes at Oak Park-River Forest High School. Upon her high school graduation, Trudy’s wealthy Aunt Minnie and Uncle Fred Moore treated Trudy to a trip to Canada. Trudy, Minnie, and Fred went by chauffeured limousine from Illinois to New England, and then to Quebec, ultimately ending the trip back in Chicago. The entire trip took three months – largely due to the fact that they never exceeded a speed of 25 miles per hour!

Back in Chicago, Trudy’s aunt and uncle expected her to live with them. Instead, however, Trudy chose to enroll in college at Northern Illinois State Teacher’s College. She graduated in 1942, the proud owner of a teaching certificate and a degree in Home Economics. Trudy was promptly hired by a school in Morrison, Illinois where she had done her student teaching, and where she would teach for the next five years.

It was while working in Morrison that Trudy made the acquaintance of a young man named Thomas B. Gilhooley. Trudy and Tom met on a blind date, and hit it off right away. They gradually fell in love, and were married on January 22, 1947, in Oak Park. The happy couple moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where Tom earned a living at Western Advertising Agency.

Trudy and Tom settled down in an apartment on Lake Avenue where they could enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan, sunrises, and full moons every time they stepped out the back door. Trudy and Tom were blessed with two children, whom they named Georgia and Dan. Once the children were in high school, Trudy returned to work as a teacher at Horlick High School. She taught for ten years until retiring at age 50. Trudy was also a gracious hostess, and her door was always open to friends and family. She made sure that everyone felt included, and many people have fond memories of gatherings around Trudy’s dinner table. Sadly, Trudy’s beloved husband Tom passed away on February 2, 1966.

Trudy was a woman of deep faith, and belonged to the First Presbyterian Church for more than six decades. She was very active in church life, serving terms as a Clerk of Session, Deacon, and Elder, as well as being a dedicated member of the Intercessory Prayer Ministry. The second row was Trudy’s pew – she was a familiar sight at services, her head nodding as she followed along with the minister in the pew Bible. Always open to new ideas, Trudy also studied the teachings of Unity School of Christianity for many years.

On November 24, 1984, Trudy married Granville R. Gibson. Unfortunately, Granville died on July 15, 1985, and Trudy lost her second husband after less than a year of marriage.

In the mid-1990s, Trudy moved to the Lake Oaks retirement community where she had an apartment with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. She formed many new friendships and it wasn’t long before she earned the nickname of “The Pansy Lady,” for her generous gifts of flowers to the other residents. An enthusiastic gardener, Trudy cultivated beautiful gardens on the Lake Oaks’ grounds, often working in the dirt until nine or ten in the evening. Even at the age of 92, Trudy would load small cups of fresh pansies on to her walker, and slowly make her way to each apartment over the course of the summer – she loved bringing joy and beauty to others. Trudy also loved to travel, and was always up for a challenge. Two of her most memorable trips were a visit to the Holy Land (where among, other things, she rode a camel in the desert), and a trip to Chillon Castle at the foot of the Swiss Alps (85 at the time, Trudy nevertheless climbed 130 steps to the reach the top window of the castle).

Trudy was blessed to able to live at “home” for her entire life, thanks to her own spunkiness, the loving care of her daughter, and the help of neighbors. She cherished her friendships with the group that became known as “The Steel Magnolias.” She had many ways to reach out to those she loved, and when her health prevented her from visiting in person, she would keep in touch by sending a thoughtful card or note.

Mrs. Gertrude “Trudy” Gibson passed away peacefully on March 21, 2013, at the age of 93. Trudy will be deeply missed by her children, Georgia (Jim) Hall and Dan Gilhooley (Patricia St. Onge); her grandchildren, Jennifer Lauer and Cameron Clarke Gilhooley; her stepson, Tom (Carol) Gibson; her stepdaughter, Fran (Bill) Zimmermann; her sister-in-law, Evelyn Gilhooley; her cousins, Ann (Bill) Owen, Wendy Owen (Greg Wolski), and Tracy Owen Emayan; her special friends, Ruth Foley, Evelyn Covell, Hilda Ayers, Margaret Rash, and Evelyn Gayhart; and her neighbor, Joyce Wagner, whose daily assistance made it possible for Trudy to avoid moving to assisted living. Trudy’s family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Paige Rackliffe, the Wheaton-Franciscan ER staff, and the Third Floor Nurses for their kind and compassionate care of Trudy and her family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 30 at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave., with Rev. Ben Johnston-Krase and Rev. Steve Fringer officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Private interment will be at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or Health Care Network. Please visit Trudy’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.