Gertrude G Rutherford

Gertrude Gardner Rutherford passed away peacefully on June 27, 2024, in Morrison, CO, with one of her daughters and sons-in-law by her side. In her 104 years, she was a nurse, an avid volunteer, a Reiki practitioner, an artist, and a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother-in-law.

Gertrude was born on May 8, 1920, the elder daughter of Emmett and Myrtle (Hills) Gardner, in North River, NY. Her father died in a mining accident and some years later her family moved to Port Washington, on New York’s Long Island. Following high school, she pursued nursing training, eventually working as a pediatric LVN in St. Francis Cardiac Hospital, Roslyn, NY.

Around this time, Gertrude met her future husband, Robert S. Rutherford, settling with him in Port Washington after they married in 1940. During World War II, Robert served proudly overseas, including at the Battle of the Bulge, which left him with a permanent disability. Gertrude served by volunteering on the home front, especially at American Red Cross blood banks. Beyond volunteering, she became a regular blood donor, something of particular importance since she herself was of a rare blood type. With three young girls, she was also a frequent participant in their troop activities with the Girl Scouts of America.

When she wasn’t busy raising three daughters (a university lecturer and two nurses), Gertrude turned to art. She studied painting with noted Hungarian-born artist and sculptor George Gach. She joined the Manhasset Art Association, eventually serving for a time as its chair. Gertrude also studied with longtime Long Island artist Jacqueline (Jackie) Penney. The two shared a love for the nature and seascapes of Long Island’s North Fork, made stronger when Gertrude and her husband retired to South Jamesport, NY, in 1977.

She became a member of the board of East End Arts, and her work was exhibited extensively at juried shows at the East End Arts Gallery and the Burnside Gallery, among others. Along with painting, she avidly pursued boating and beachcombing. She also remained active in volunteerism, working at the Bread and More soup kitchen for the homeless, in Riverhead, NY.

In 2010, following Gertrude’s ninetieth birthday, her daughters decided to move her in with the family of her youngest daughter, Joyce, in Morrison, CO. There she loved being surrounded by two of her granddaughters and by the deer, bear, and other local wildlife. She greatly enjoyed the beauty of the Rocky Mountain foothills, which she said often reminded her of the Adirondacks of her youth.

Gertrude is survived by her daughters Susan Rutherford (Rick Clogher) of Berkeley, CA; Diane Higgins of Beverly, MA; and Joyce Rutherford (Richard Finney) of Morrison, CO; grandchildren Jay Bryon (Lois Vossen) of Oakland, CA, Charles W. Higgins IV (Kelly Higgins) of Beverly, MA; Tara Higgins of Beverly, MA; Hannah Rutherford Beavers (Jon Beavers) of Hollywood, CA; Eliza Burke (Jacob Burke) of Honolulu, HI; and great-grandchildren Charles, Wesley, Natalie, and Evelyn Higgins of Beverly, MA; Emma and Ava Horinko of Beverly, MA; and Ella Burke of Honolulu, HI; and niece Carolyn Hutchins, of North Creek, NY.

A family memorial is planned later. Condolences can be expressed directly below. Those who wish to make a special remembrance can donate in her name to World Central Kitchen, a charity close to her heart. https://donate.wck.org or World Central Kitchen, PO Box 96538, Washington, DC 20090-6538.