Gertrude R. Brew

Gertrude R. Brew (Keenan) died peacefully surrounded by her family at the Regional Hospice and Palliative Care Center on March 26 at the age of 89. Gert is survived by James V. Brew, the love of her life, her high-school sweetheart, and husband of 66 years; daughters Maureen Arsenault (Don) of New Milford and Dianne Morey ( Robert) of Newtown; sons James W. Brew ( Anne) of Oakton, VA., and Paul Brew (Barbara) of New Milford. Gert was cherished by her 8 grand-children and 9 great-grand-children, who thoroughly enjoyed Nana’s cooking, and they swear that her snickerdoodles can’t be replicated. She was eagerly awaiting the birth of great- grandchild number ten in June. Gert is also survived by her sister Margaret Cessario of Danbury and many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her siblings Helen Ledan, Walter Keenan, Robert Keenan, and Dorothy Clement.

Born in Danbury to Walter Keenan and Gertrude Blake Keenan, Gert graduated from Danbury High School and worked for many years at Southern New England Telephone Company, Davis and Geck, and eventually retired from the Perkin-Elmer Corporation after years of dedicated service in their document control department and photo lab.

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, and grand- mother, Gert was a very talented photographer and artist. She attended classes at WestConn and Wooster, and she worked with local artist Shirley Fernekes to hone her skills. Gert’s paintings were accepted into multiple Connecticut Senior Juried Art Shows, and her photos graced the cover of a Connecticut Tourism magazine and various art exhibits. Gert and Jim enjoyed each day together, especially traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe. Their trips and family provided wonderful subject matter for her artwork. As “snowbirds” for over twenty years, Gert and Jim enjoyed their escapes from wintry New England and deeply valued the friendships they made at Sunnybrook in NewPort Richey.

Calling hours will be held at Green’s Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 from 4-8 P.M. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 46 Stone Street, Danbury on Wednesday, March 29, at 10 A.M. The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff at Regional Hospice for the compassionate and attentive care that they provided for Gert and her family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Regional Hospice and Palliative Care, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810 or Sacred Heart Church in Danbury.