Gertrude H. Best

Gertrude Helen Best

Gertrude Best died on February 2, 2024, at the age of 93, outliving most of her seven siblings by several years. She often asked, “Why do you think God is keeping me around so long?” Answering her own question, she would say, “I guess He isn’t done with me yet.” And done He was not. Gertrude would continue to touch the hearts of everyone she met until the end. At hospice, just weeks before she died, she prayed constantly, telling the staff that she was praying for them to get to heaven. Throughout her life she always gave to others in the form of sacrifice and prayer. She attended a monthly all-night vigil with her sister Florence for the intentions of friends and family.

Born in Long Island City, New York on December 11, 1930, to John and Gertrude Best, she was lovingly called Girlie by family and friends. Girlie was the fourth child in a typical, large Irish family, and this family was probably what she was most proud of, lovingly speaking of her mother, daddy, and siblings daily, until the day she died. The siblings were broken down into: Jackie; “the girls”, Florence, Jeanie, Girlie; “the boys”, Bobby, Jimmy, Joseph; and “the baby”, Marion.

Girlie attended elementary school at Saint Mary’s Parish school in Long Island City, walking to and from school with her siblings. She graduated from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School, with honors, in 1948. After completing high school she began her work at Pfizer, where she made many of her lifelong friends. While working at Pfizer she attended Hunter College at night. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, she graduated Cum Laude in 1962. In 1963, she left Pfizer, to pursue her true passion: teaching. Girlie began teaching at Mater Christi/St. John’s Prep in 1963, where she would teach for close to 30 years. During her time teaching, she continued her education, obtaining two masters, one in Latin, in 1967, and a second in Theology, in 1980. She retired from teaching in 1992 and was still in touch with some of her former students until recently. One of her students, who treasured her memory fondly, credits Girlie for setting his life “on the course it took, serving the Church”. Retirement did not slow her down and she remained an active member of her family and church.

Although Gertrude never married, or had children, she touched the lives of her many nieces and nephews in too many ways to mention. Her love of faith, family and education lives through the values she helped instill in them.

She is survived by her sister Marion Maggio, sisters in law, Theresa Best and Marilyn Best, nieces and nephews, Eileen Poole, John Michael Best, Maureen Durkee, Stephen Best, Kevin Best, Brian Best, Julia Best, Robert Best, James Best, Jack Best, James Best, Mary Best-Eyer, Christine Gall, Vincent Maggio. Mary Maggio-Smith, and John Maggio, as well as many grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Gertrude, brothers, Jackie, Bobby, Jimmy, Joseph, sisters, Florence and Jeanie, and her nephew Danny Best.

A visitation for Gertrude will be held Monday, February 5, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Infant Jesus RC Church, 110 Myrtle Ave, Port Jefferson, New York 11777. An interment will occur Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 12:15 PM at Trinity Cemetery, Rainbow Lane, Amityville, NY 11701.