Gertrude D. Bertrand

Gertrude D. (Therrien) Bertrand, 94, of Manchester, died June 25, 2021 at Catholic Medical Center after a brief illness.

She was born in Manchester on August 13, 1926 to Donat and Yvonne (Chauvette) Therrien. She was a lifelong resident of Manchester. She was one of 11 children.

She was a loving wife and mother. She loved her two grandchildren who blessed her with four great grandchildren. She was lovingly called Memere or "Mem" by them, so much so that it became her name to not only them, but others as well. She was fortunate to be able to enjoy so many generations of her family. She gave the best hugs and was always happy to see her family. She missed her husband's bear hugs. Once he passed away, she would comment whenever she got a really good hug how it reminded her of him. She'd light up and had the best smile. In her younger years, she and her sisters were frequent Thursday night shoppers on Elm Street. This group of sisters was a force to be reckoned with often loud and laughing wherever they went. She loved games specifically cards games and she'd play rummy with her daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter whenever asked. She was a devoted fan of the game show channel and especially loved Jeopardy on a nightly basis. She loved sweet treats and would never refuse one if offered, so you could often find her nightly indulging in an ice cream bar. She lived a long love-filled life.

Gertrude was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne at St. Anthony Parish in Manchester.

She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Harold J. Bertrand in 1993; a daughter, Elaine Vermette in 2012 and nine siblings, Roland, Fern, Marcel, Raymond, Lucien, Simonne, Lillian, Carmel and France.

She is survived by a daughter, Nancy Crawford and her husband, James; two grandchildren, Sheila Bragg and her husband Clint of Chandler, AZ and Neil Crawford and his wife, Colleen of Hollis, NH; a sister, Laurette Maheu of Florida; four great grandchildren, Travis Bragg, Caroline Crawford, Will Crawford and Andrew Crawford; a son-in-law Gary Vermette; cousins and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the many volunteers at Meals on Wheels and Easter Seals for the special care they provided to Gertrude.

SERVICES: A calling hour is Thursday, July 1 from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 172 Belmont Street, Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow immediately at 10 a.m. in the church. Committal prayers will follow at Mt. Cavalry Mausoleum, 474 Goffstown Road, Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels or Easter Seals.