Gertrude Dearie Frekko

Gertrude Dearie Frekko, beloved wife of Dr. Tibor Eugene Frekko, passed away unexpectedly on February 15, 2021. Truda, as she was known by her close friends and relatives, was born in Newark, NJ. She grew up in Mountain Lakes, NJ, graduating high school as president of her senior class, a member of the honor society, and homecoming queen. She graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia where she studied to become a teacher. She taught for several years in New Jersey, California, and Virginia. It was in Washington, D.C. where she met Tibby, her devoted husband of more than fifty years.

Truda worked alongside Tibby to open the first family medical practice in Montgomery Village, MD. She was instrumental in supporting and growing the highly successful practice where she was a fixture at the office, coordinating patient care with incredible compassion, warmth, and positivity. Truda became heavily involved in her children’s education. Over the years, she served many important roles along with Tibby, including co-chair of the picnic committee at Norwood School, founding member of the Society of Families at Colgate University, and co-chair of the Williams College Parents Fund. Truda served on the Board of Trustees at Landon School. Truda and Tibby were also founding members of the Parents Council at Georgetown School of Medicine, where all three of their daughters attended Medical School.

Truda was keenly interested in helping others. She and Tibby established an endowed scholarship at Georgetown to provide financial aid for students in need to attend the Medical School. Another favorite charity was the St. Clare Girls’ Center in Nchiru, Kenya. Every summer at her beloved Rehoboth Beach house, Truda would gather her grandchildren and set up a street side lemonade stand with information on St. Clare. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars would stop to learn about this amazing Kenyan orphanage and make donations to support the cause. A cup of lemonade cost only 25 cents, but the average donation was much higher. Truda and Tibby would gather these donations every summer and send them on to St. Clare in Kenya along with stories and pictures of the Frekko family’s lemonade stand.

Truda had a unique way of connecting with people on a deeply personal level and making them feel like they were the most important person in her life. She was also known for penning heartfelt, hand-written letters that made the recipient feel reassured, special, and loved. A gifted artist and calligraphist, Truda created many treasured pieces of art that hang on the walls of her home and Frekko Primary Care where they serve as reminders of her talent, humor, and her special ability to connect with everyone. Truda’s family and friends will miss her dearly.

Truda is survived by her husband, Dr. Tibor Eugene Frekko of Darnestown, MD; five children and spouses, Matthew and Katherine Frekko, Kathleen and Christopher Farrell, Ann and Christopher Raffo, Mary and Nicholas Kilavos, and John and Kelly Frekko; fifteen adoring grandchildren; and three siblings, Maureen Husk, John Paul Dearie, Jr., and J. Lawrence Dearie. She was predeceased by her mother and father John and Anna Dearie and brother Christopher Farrell Dearie.

Due to health and travel restrictions, a private visitation, funeral Mass, and interment were planned and have occurred. A video recording of the funeral Mass is available here: https://youtu.be/_4SNxrpgwBw?t=656.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Truda to the Frekko Family Endowed Scholarship at Georgetown University School of Medicine: Gift Processing, Department Number 0734, Washington, DC 20073-0734, by calling Georgetown Gift Processing at 800-424-2795, or using the link https://give.georgetown.edu/som.