Gertrude Elizabeth DeCost

After more than a century of life, Gertrude E. DeCost of South Dennis, MA died peacefully on January 20th 2017. Born on March 29, 1915, and raised in Brockton, MA, she was the eldest child of Robert Henry Deighton of Manchester, England and Myrtie Kennedy Deighton of Franklin, NH. After graduating from Brockton High School in 1932 and Bridgewater State (Teacher’s) College in 1936, Gertrude began a long teaching career, first in Brockton public school system and later in private school. While she was single, she lived at home with her mother and helped support her siblings after her father died.

In 1945 Gertrude married William Arthur DeCost, and together they raised five children. With the birth of her first child, Gertrude became a full time stay at home Mom. She became secretary of the Brockton Women’s Club, and St. Edward’s School Guild while she continued teaching her own children a love of learning and tutoring neighborhood children. When her children grew up, Gertrude returned to teaching first grade at a local private school.

In fulfillment of a lifelong dream, Gertrude and her husband relocated to the Cape where he retired and she worked for Elder Services for almost twenty years. Following the death of her husband in 1986, Gertrude remained an active, independent woman who lived in her own home in South Dennis, thanks to much help from her family, until the age of 99. Gertrude loved reading, crossword puzzles, game shows, like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, crafts, especially knitting, sewing and quilting, and walking on the beach. She kept her mind sharp by learning new things keeping in close touch with family and friends by frequent email. She was a woman of strong faith, a regular participant at St. Pius X Catholic Church. She always loved having company, and her children and grandchildren will fondly remember family visits with “Gramma at the beach”.

Gertrude is survived by her five children, Ronald DeCost and wife Pat of Norman, OK, Linda DeCost Hoblitzell of Woodstock, GA, William A. DeCost Jr. and wife Tina of Dennis, MA, John DeCost and wife Paula of Powder Springs, GA and Debbie DeCost Lucier and husband Gary of Springfield, VA, as well as 14 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank staff at Pleasant Bay Nursing Home for their kindness and care as her health declined.

A memorial service is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, one of Gertrude’s favorite charities.