Gertrude Mary Winters

Gertrude Mary “Trudie” Winters (Smith), 73, of Toms River, N.J., beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, cousin, and friend, entered into eternal rest on February 21. Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at Horizon Funeral and Cremation Services, 1329 NJ-37, Toms River, NJ 08755 on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Interment is to be at Rosedale Cemetery, Linden, NJ on April 22 at 10am. 

Trudie was born December 25, 1950 in Elizabeth, NJ. She was raised in Linden, NJ before moving to Toms River, NJ in 1979.  

She was a woman of many talents including an established seamstress and costume designer for ballet performances including Company Of Dance Arts in Redbank, NJ. She was an avid knitter and crocheter, and enjoyed making jewelry in her spare time. Even being bed ridden didn’t stop her creativity. She also had a beautiful singing voice and owned a karaoke business bringing joy wherever she performed. 

Trudie was a blessing to all who knew her. Her faith was evident and she shared it with everyone in her life. Even with being sick and bedridden for years, faith remained her cornerstone. She was a great, longtime friend to many, and those relationships were cherished. She was in a bowling league and gathered for game nights with her best friends. 

She was a great listener and was always ready to give advice. She had a mind like a vault and could recall obscure information in a heartbeat. She was smart, had a beautiful loving heart, and a giving spirit. 

Although she had many achievements, motherhood was her greatest work. She loved her children with fierce adoration. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to her and she loved them with great passion. She had such a huge generous heart, always surprising her loved ones with gifts. Gift giving was her love language. 

Trudie was predeceased by her parents, Kime and Natalie Smith, and by her children Mark Allen and Lisa Meyer.

She is survived by her husband Don Winters; her brother Kime (Carrie) Smith, of California; her children Melodie (Louis) Okoye of Indiana, Mick (Christie) Winters, Natalie Elena, Paul Winters (Rose). She has 16 grandchildren Kristina (Paul) Hardwick, Bill Surgent, Grace Meyer, Amanda Mendez, Marissa (Monty), Mickey Winters, Jayden Duncan, Alicia Mendez, Julie Mendez, Ray Daniels, Daz Guardado, Katie Winters, Orion Guardado, Charlotte Timmerman, Vivienne Winters, Zaleah Timmerman; and 6 great grandchildren, Jacob West, Remi West, Mark O’Neil, Ava Hardwick, August Hardwick and Autumn Hardwick.