Trudy Dawn Gaskin

Trudy Dawn Gaskin, 72, was born on May 26, 1954, in Saint Thomas, Jamaica, and passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026. She later made her home in New Jersey, living in Lafayette for 35 years before settling in Wantage. Throughout her life, Trudy carried herself with a steady grace—marked by a considerate and strong spirit, a generous heart, and an infectious joy for life.

Trudy pursued her education with purpose and determination, attending Fairleigh Dickinson University and earning a master’s degree in international studies. In Jamaica, as a child, she won multiple awards for her academics, including recognition in a Girl Scouts competition, a national essay contest, and a national Spanish-language achievement award that sent her on a trip to Mexico to learn further. Her commitment to learning reflected a thoughtful mind and a sincere interest in the wider world.

In her earlier years, Trudy worked in sales and for the Jamaican Tourist Board, where she met Muhammad Ali, The Jackson 5, Arthur Ashe, and many more, obtaining autographs from them all, save for Muhammad Ali, whom she felt at the time was “too bragadocious.” She never regretted this but grew to admire him in later years. The role she held most dearly—and the one to which she gave her fullest devotion—was being a mother. Her care was constant, as was her reassuring presence. Her love was expressed through everyday acts of selfless attention, caring counsel, and unwavering support. She was effortlessly funny and spread joy with her warm smile and contagious giggles, instilling in her children a thirst for knowledge, lust for life, and a love of all people.

Trudy shared 45 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Patrick Gaskin. Together they built a life grounded in loyalty and mutual support, and they enjoyed simple pleasures side by side, including fishing and camping trips that brought them time together outdoors.

She found joy in many interests: she was an avid sports fan, especially local teams like the New York Knicks and Liberty, was a talented knitter, and found success through savvy investments in the stock market. In each pursuit, Trudy showed the same steady patience, quiet diligence, and sharp intuition that created bounty throughout her life. Through the hardest parts of life, she always showed super-human strength, childlike joy, and an unbreakable spirit of love, warmth, and determination—not to mention her sharp yet gentle wit.

Trudy was predeceased by her father, Kenneth Purboo; her mother, Mercella (nee Thompson) Purboo; and her brother, Bevin "Junior" Purboo. She is survived by her beloved husband, Patrick Gaskin; her beloved son, Corey Gaskin; her beloved daughter, Danielle Gaskin; and her beloved aunt, Peggy Miller.

Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton, NJ. Funeral Services will take place at 11 am on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Eternal Sunset Memorial Park and Cemetery, 11 Sunset Inn Rd, Lafayette, NJ. Repast will follow at 1:30 pm on Saturday, at Lafayette House, the intersection of Route 94 and Route 15, Lafayette, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com