Gertrude C Fournier

Gertrude C. Fournier, age 88, of Norman, Oklahoma passed away August 30, 2010 at Norman Regional Hospital. She was born February 17, 1922 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Gertrude was one of 7children born to Michel and Marie Louise Prefontaine. The 3 sisters and 4 brothers were raised in a home attached to their family owned corner grocery store and were there mom and dad’s little helpers in the daily running of the store. Gertrude met the love of her life, Richard, in the store while he was repairing a refrigerator. They were happily married for 59 years. Her math and organizational skills led her to a career in accounting, from which she retired in 1984, not to become a "lady of leisure" but to enjoy her large family which includes 7 children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She and Richard spent many happy hours flying their private plane to visit their family across the country. Gertrude loved sewing, needlework, reading, crypto quotes, playing cards and board games, listening to music and dancing. She was an active member of the Catholic Church throughout her life. She served as President of Our Lady of Sorrows Altar Society and received Lady of the Year honors in 1987, at the same time being Treasurer for the parish and delivering Meals on Wheels. She supported her husbands’ career and hobby as a pilot, serving as Treasurer and Secretary for the American Navion Society and the Antique Aircraft Association. Gertrude always volunteered to do more than her fair share. She was an inspiration to all she met with a contagious smile and a kind heart… she will be sorely missed. Gertrude is survived by 6 of her 7 children, Claire Fretwell and husband Ed of Oklahoma City, Ok., Paulette Redmond and mate Tony Olive of Phoenix, Az., Therese Jirkovsky and husband Sam of Denver, Co., Roger Fournier and mate Pauline Herrera of Denver, Ok., Andrea Meek and husband Gary of Norman, Ok., and Daniel Fournier and wife Becky of Oklahoma City, Ok., 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Gertrude is preceded in death by her husband, Richard A. Fournier on May 13, 2003 and her son Richard M. Fournier on January 28, 2006. Viewing will be held from 6-8 PM with the family, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at Bill Merritt Funeral Home in Bethany. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday Sept. 3 at St. Thomas More University Parish in Norman, Ok. at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Ok. at 3:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made toCatholic Charities or American Cancer Society.