Uncasville-Gertrude Irene (Czujko) Muratore, age 81, of Uncasville, passed away at her home peacefully with her family on December 3, 2022. She was born in Naliboki, Poland on August 16, 1941 to the late Bernard and Jadwiga (Adamcewicz) Czujko and immigrated to the United States at the age of 9 with her sisters, as orphans, on the Navy ship USS General M.B. Stewart.
Gertrude was united in marriage to her loving husband Albert Muratore on February 23, 1963 at St Joseph's Church in Norwich, CT.
Gertrude attended St. Joseph School in Norwich. She was a member of the high school drum corps and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1959. She worked as a florist at Johnson's Florist and Gift Shop before she met Albert. When her children were in high school she worked part time at the Norwich Bulletin, Pic-A-Deli as a hostess in the Norwichtown Mall,and Mohegan Community College Cafeteria.
Gertrude is survived by her Loving and Devoted husband Albert of 59 years, just shy of 60 years. Gertrude was Loving Mother to Albert Muratore Jr and his companion Lisa Mongillo, April Surprenant and her husband Bruce, Michele Muratore and her companion Brian Mainville, and was also Loving Aunt "Tante" to Alysia Besade. Gertrude was Loving Nana and Babcia to Christopher Muratore, Alexandra and her husband Jarrod Mehuren (we are so very Grateful that Babcia and Papa could attend the wedding) and Cole Muratore. Gertrude was Loving Sister to Stacia Izbicki and Josephine Besade who also survive her. She is also survived by her cousin Wally and his wife Barbara Adamcewicz of Australia, her Godson and Nephew Kenneth Izbicki (Shelly), Jeffrey Izbicki (Robin), Scott Besade and their families. Besides family and her friends at church, Gertrude was a very Dear Friend to Shirley Fowler -They instantly connected (it was her beautiful smile) at St. Joseph's Grammar School in Norwich and became life-long friends, and to Dottie Rotkowitz- A little later they met and became friends while working at Central Shoe and remained friends ever since.
Gertrude is reunited in Heaven with her parents Bernard and Jadwiga Czujko, her Sister Frydzia and her Grandparents; Along with the Fedorczyk family who took her in when she came to the U.S. and raised her as one of their daughters. Viola (Fedorczyk) Margarones lived in Old Orchard Beach, Maine and they remained close friends over the years. Gertrude was like a little sister to Viola.
Gertrude loved spending time with her family, playing marbles, being outdoors and maintaining her beautiful flower gardens and yard work, canning vegetables from their huge garden, crossword puzzles, reading, bird and bunny watching, attending mass at St. Jo's every Saturday and watching the mass on EWTN when she couldn't make it to church; Praying the Rosary and The Divine Mercy Chaplet. In 1987 Gert and Al traveled to Europe (Germany/Italy) and later in 2002 they traveled to Paris, Switzerland, Italy and Sicily with family. Gertrude, her sisters, and the kids, when younger, would go to Ocean Beach almost weekly, stopping at McDonald's for burgers and packing lunch for at the beach. Gert and Al enjoyed going out dancing with family and friends when they were younger. She enjoyed hosting and attending family picnics and going clothes shopping in Hartford and Waterford at Macy's, Filene's and West Farms Mall with her sisters and daughters. Gertrude looked forward to her yearly (February) 3-week trips to Florida with her sister Stacia, and sometimes Josephine and April. They stayed in St. Pete's Beach at the Carlton House Motel and were friends with the owners Marian and Betty (Bogusia). Gertrude enjoyed walking St Pete's Beach and looking for shells, watching the beautiful sunsets on the beach, getting her hair done, visiting John's Pass, going clothes shopping at the Tyrone Square Mall and food shopping at Publix and sharing chinese dinners with Stacia from the food court (because one meal was enough for 2 people). They would get together with Renata for lunch on occasion and spend time with their friends Elaine and Brian Fielding of Canada who she spoke fondly of.
The past several years April would spend one of those weeks chauffeuring Gertrude (Mom) and Aunt Stacia around while spending special time with them in Florida.
Gertrude fought, her almost 10 year battle with cancer, with every ounce of Courage she had and NEVER complained or felt sorry for herself. She was the most Humble, Faithful, most Brave and Courageous woman you could ever know- An Angel and Saint here on Earth. We know she was taken into God's eternal Kingdom by Our Blessed Mother Mary and her Son Jesus who she adored. We will miss her dearly until we all meet again in Heaven.
Gertrude will be remembered for her devotion to her Faith, Family and friends, for her Heart of Gold and her Compassionate Soul. She was selfless and always put others first no matter what she did. She is our Hero and always will be in our hearts forever. We were Blessed and are Grateful and Thankful that our last family holiday together was "Thanksgiving." She will now spend Advent season and Christmas with the most Holy Family of all - in Heaven.
The family would like to thank Annie at ECHO for her kindness and compassion she showed towards Gertruda over all the years of her treatments and visits. Thank you also to Gertrude's visiting nurse Megan W for her kindness and the chats they shared, and to Donna her physical therapist.
Services are private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6