GERTRUDE GANNON, Obituary

CHESTER Gertrude Marion Gannon, 94, died Friday, May 24, 2002, at a Chester nursing home.

Rosary prayers were Monday evening at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Great Falls. Funeral Mass was scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the church with burial to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls.

Gertrude was born June 25, 1907, to Jerimiah and Esther (Woodlock) Moran in Springfield, Mass. She received her early education at the Parker Street Elementary School at Indian Orchards, Mass. During her high school years, she played the piano, girls basketball, was active on the swim team, and worked as a part-time secretary in a hardware store. Upon graduation in 1924, she continued her education at Springfield Commercial College.

Gertrude married Thomas Anthony Gannon in June 1928 in Springfield. They lived in New York City for a short while before moving to Florida. In the early 1930s, they traveled to Montana to visit some relatives at Sunburst. There were job opportunities at the Texaco Refinery, so they made their home in Sunburst for the next 25 years. Gertrude enjoyed her life as a homemaker and mother of five. To help supplement their income, she worked as a secretary/treasurer for the Farmers Union in Sunburst.

In 1958, the Gannons were transferred to Anacortes, Wash., where Thomas finished his career in the refining business. They retired in 1968 and moved back to West Palm Beach, Fla. They lived in Florida for 10 years, then bought a home in Fresno, Calif., to be near a son. They traveled to Montana in the summer months and spent most of their time in Great Falls with their daughters. Thomas died in Great Falls in 1984 and Gertrude continued her travels between California and Montana until 1991. Since then she has spent winter months with her son in California and summer months with her daughter in Chester. She was recently admitted to the Liberty County Nursing Home in Chester.

She was never fond of her given name and during her formative years preferred to be called Trude or Sara. After she married Thomas, he affectionately called her G.G., short for Gertrude Gannon. The nicknames stuck with her throughout the years.

She enjoyed reading, especially mysteries and historical novels. After her eyesight failed, she continued reading with audio books. She also enjoyed playing bingo and many card games. Her passion enjoyment in playing was surpassed only by her enjoyment in winning. She also liked music, dancing, crocheting and traveling. Throughout her adult years, she remained an active participant in swimming, fishing, tennis and badminton.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; daughters, Shirley Wills, Nancy Fox and Sheila Fischer; great-grandsons, Lucas and Joseph Dahinden; brothers, Harold and Gerald Moran; sister, Esther Maillard.

Survivors include her son, Thomas "Jerry" (Christine) Gannon of Sanger, Calif.; daughter, Marjie (Vern) Dahinden of Chester; son-in-law, Richard Fox of Great Falls; brother, George Moran of Long Meadow, Mass.; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.