Gertrude F. Marks

Gertrude Fisher Marks

March 5, 1919 – August 4, 2013

Gertrude F. Marks, 94, passed away peacefully at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, Florida on Sunday August 4, 2013 with family members at her side.

Gertrude was born March 5, 1919 in Indianapolis to Anna Markowitz Fisher and Harry Fisher. She moved as a young child with her family on a 21 day cross-country trip to Los Angels. She loved sewing, dancing and spending time with family. While in high school, she taught tap dance to younger students. After graduating from Marshall High School, Gertrude moved to Miami, Florida. Shortly after arriving there, her friends introduced her to Perry Marks. They quickly fell in love and were married for 63 years before Perry’s death. The family spent many days fishing on their boat and going to the beach. Family and friends have very pleasant memories of the grouper chowder Gertrude made from grouper that Perry and their sons caught. They had a group of very close long-time friends that gathered to play poker and Mahjong, have parties and celebrate special occasions. After their four children were grown, she and Perry took up square dancing. Gertrude made her own colorful square dance outfits. They traveled across the country with their travel trailer and found square dance groups to dance with in many of the places they visited. When their knees couldn’t take it any longer, they gave up square dancing, and became active in the local LIFT Senior Center. Gertrude joined a dance group there that performed for others. She lived in Miami until moving to Tallahassee in December, 2010. She resided at St. Augustine Plantation in Tallahassee for the last two and an half years where she was loved for her easy going nature.

Gertrude is survived by her children Richard Marks and wife Kaye, Rosalyn Marks Kilcollins and husband Danny, and Ken Marks, as well as 15 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and many other friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband Perry Marks, her mother and father Anna and Harry Fisher, her sister Marian Fisher and her son Larry S. Marks.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2013 at Riverside Gordon Funeral Home at Mt. Nebo Kendall, 5900 SW 77 Avenue, South Miami, FL from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. The family will receive relatives and friends at a reception immediately following the ceremony. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Mount Nebo Memorial Gardens, 5505 NW 3rd Street, Miami, FL 33126.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308.

Family and Friends are invited to gather Friday evening at the home of niece, Melinda (Marks) and Mike Perry from 5-9 PM at 14740 SW 84 Court Palmetto Bay, 33158. Note : Due to severe food allergies, please do not send or bring any foods containing dairy or peanuts. You can reach Melinda at 305-562-8833