Savannah, GA - Gertrude Deschenes, 98, of Georgia, formally of Prospect, passed away on November 19, 2015, three weeks short of her 99th birthday. She was married to the late George Deschenes who passed away in 2001 after nearly 50 years of marriage. Gertrude was born on December 13, 1916 in Waterbury, daughter of the late Cyril and Florence (Lafond) Legere. Gertrude graduated from Waterbury Catholic High School, class of 1933 and St. Marys School of Nursing as an RN in 1937. She enjoyed a long and varied career as an RN, working in various local hospitals. She also worked at the Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Shelton and as a private duty RN in peoples homes for a number of years. One of her favorite nursing stories was the night she accidentally locked herself in the hospital morgue while in nursing school. Gertrude tried to serve as a nurse during WWII but was denied because of her height so she chose to work for the Selective Service Board during WWII and the Korean Conflict. Gertrude was a longtime member of the Shrine of St. Annes Church in Waterbury and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for a year. A year after her husbands passing in 2001; Gertrude made the bittersweet plunge of selling her home and moving into Middlewoods Assisted Living Complex in Farmington. In 2004, Gertrude moved to Savannah, GA to be closer to her son Roger, and daughter in law, Joanne. There she made new friends, Malcolm and Margie, and eventually her favorite home health aide Linda who was also a retired RN from Connecticut. Gertrudes best buddy in Savannah was Mo, a long-haired, bushy tailed orange tabby cat who came into her life as a 10 week old kitten. As Gertrudes health and physical capabilities slowly declined, as more and more health care faces entered her life, she never ceased to pray for those around her and say the rosary daily. Faithfully she watched the TV Mass every Sunday until her hearing and eyesight were gone. Even in her final year at Savannah Square Residential Center, Gertrude remained one of their favorite residents. She was a unique lady in many ways and certainly a blessing to everyone she met. Gertrude is survived by her only son, Roger Deschenes and his wife Joanne of Georgia. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church St, Newington, CT 06111. In lieu of flowers, memorual contributions may be made to the Friends of Saint Anne Restoration Fund - C/O The Connecticut Community Foundation - 43 Field Street, Waterbury, CT 06702.

Service Information Service Saturday April 23, 2016 10:00 AM Church of the Holy Spirit 183 Church St. Newington, CT 06111 -->