Obituary of Gertrude M. D'Souza

Gertrude D’Souza, 85, passed away at her home in Denville on January 29, 2016 after a valiant long fight with brain cancer. She was surrounded by all her children. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10 am at St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville. Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Friends and relatives may visit on Friday, February 5th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Ave, Denville. In lieu of flowers, donations to the good work of Catholic Charities are being accepted. Born in Bombay, India to Alphonsus and Dulcine (Dolly) Rebello, Gertrude was the sixth of seven children. She and her husband, Alex, lived in India, England and Kenya before settling in Denville 34 years ago, where they made friends quickly and loved being a part of the community. Gertrude was a compassionate and respected physician in India before working for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NJ from which she retired in 2000. She was a fixture at her parish home of St. Mary’s. Gertrude attended daily mass, served as an Extraordinary Minister and a Senior Acolyte for many years and was a member of the National Council of Catholic Women. She stayed active with the Denville Seniors Wednesday Club and enjoyed all the activities the club offered. Since 2011, she served as the Senior Liaison on the Denville Municipal Alliance Committee. Gertrude enjoyed knitting, gardening, making rosaries, volunteering and being with friends; but above all, she loved being with her family and her precious grandchild Lexi. Predeceased by her husband Alex, her sisters Gladys (Sr. Mary Amata), Ruth, Marie, Rose (Sr. Claire de Ste. Chantal) and her brother Leslie (Sonny), she leaves only wonderful memories to her children Marguerite D’Souza (Christopher Gantt), Anne Wolff (Thomas) and David D’Souza (Jamie); granddaughter Alexandra; brother Wilfred Rebello (Gloria); and many more dear relatives, friends and caretakers.