Gertrude E. Lansdale

Gertrude E. Lansdale died peacefully early Thanksgiving morning. She was a lifelong resident of Texarkana. Until recently, she lived the entirety of her 92 years in the Texarkana family home where she was born. Miss Lansdale was a graduate of the Providence Academy – parish school of Saint Edwards Catholic Church. She attended Texarkana Junior College and after a brief stint working at a local newspaper, began her life’s work with the General Telephone Company where she served as a Supervisor for over forty years.

Miss Lansdale was greatly interested in history and genealogy and spent many enjoyable hours researching her family background and sharing stories of her discoveries. Gertrude took pride of her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution and belonged to Beta Sigma Phi for over fifty years. She was a passionate reader and a great traveler. On their summer vacations she and her sister Mary toured the majority of the United States and collected memorabilia from their various excursions. The great journey of her life was a European tour taken many years ago. She marveled that a small-town girl should have the opportunity of seeing such faraway places and she spoke often of that adventure.

While not a musician herself, Gertrude had a great appreciation for music and enthusiastically attended concerts, plays and musicals throughout her life. She and her family were lifelong members of Saint Edwards Catholic Church where she was a member of the Saint Edwards Silver Circle. Miss Lansdale faithfully attended mass at Saint Edwards throughout her life and funded a stained glass window of Saint Francis of Assisi in memory of her beloved family.

Gertrude was the third of the four children of George and Gertrude Lansdale of Texarkana. Survivors include, her sister Janis Lansdale-Pennington and Brother-in-law Charles of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, nephews, Father Matthew Pennington of Capitola, California and Dr. John Pennington and his wife Mary of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and great niece, Kelsey Pennington attending Tufts university in Boston, Massachusetts.

Friends are invited to celebrate and honor her life with a Vigil Service on Sunday evening December 5th at 7:00 at East Funeral Home, 2807 Moores Lane. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Edwards Catholic Church, Monday morning December 6th at 11:00 with Rev. Matthew Pennington officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery under the direction of East Funeral Home – Moores Lane.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Saint Edwards Catholic Church.

Online tributes may be made at www.eastfunerals.com.