Predeceased by parents, Bunia and Louis Gorelick; husband Aubrey; sister Fanny and brother Max. This marks the end of an era. Born of Jewish-Russian immigrants, Gertrude was the last surviving member of both her original Gorelick and Shane family lines in Nova Scotia. Survived by her beloved daughters: Judith (Lorne) and Mira.
Gertrude grew up in New Waterford. Graduated from the Halifax Infirmary School of Nursing and the McGill School for Graduate Nurses. She was a teacher, supervisor and administrator in the schools of nursing at St. Mary’s Hospital and the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal and the Izaak Walton Killam Hospital (IWK) in Halifax. She loved being a nurse, later working for the Registered Nurses Association of Nova Scotia and as a clinical nurse at the IWK.
Throughout the years, Gertrude volunteered in numerous capacities including various roles at Shaar Shalom synagogue, as a docent at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and as an amateur researcher of Jewish social history in Nova Scotia.
Gertrude’s resolute wish was to remain in her home for her final years. The family is profoundly grateful to the many, many people who helped make this hope a reality. In particular a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Judy Mader and Katy; the team of pharmacists at Lawtons; and Gertrude’s many wonderful caregivers, especially Jackie, Linda, Diann, Judy and Karen.
Although Gertrude’s last few years became increasingly challenging, she fought on with the signature courage, resilience, willpower and fierce independence that characterized her life.
In compliance with her wishes, there is no funeral service. Should you wish to honour Gertrude’s memory, please consider a donation to Victorian Order of Nurses (Halifax region) or Jewish National Fund (Restoring the Ben Shemen Forest Project).
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