Gertrude J. “Trudi” Farmhand a lifelong and active Needham resident died on Friday February 18, 2005 at the Manchester Memorial Hospital in Manchester CT after a series of brief illnesses. She was 80 years old. Trudi was the daughter of lifelong Needham residents the late Gertrude (Chambers) and John E. Brady. A graduate of Newton Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing, Trudi worked as a nurse at the former Glover Memorial Hospital in Needham and later the American Red Cross. She was well known of her long and tireless years of civic involvement. Her early activities included many years as a Girl Scout Leader and her tenure as the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors of the Needham Little League. A celebrant of the Christ Episcopal Church, she was active in the altar guild and established and ran for many years the church’s “Crib Room” (for infants and toddlers of church attendees). Trudi further served the Town of Needham in a variety of capacities including volunteering at flu clinics run by the Board of Health and as a poll worker during numerous elections. She is a former Co-chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, Director of the Community Council and Chairperson of the Council on Aging. Trudi was a member of the Korean War Memorial Committee, which just four years ago erected a monument to honor Needham residents who gave their lives during the war, including her husband, Phil. In 2002 Trudi was honored by the Richard P. Melick Foundation as an outstanding citizen of the Needham community. Trudi gave thousands of hours volunteering in numerous projects that benefited countless numbers of Needham residents. She will be sorely missed by both her family and friends. The beloved Gold Star Widow of Philip C. Farnham (U.S. Army, Korea), she leaves her children Judith Farnham Preston and her husband John L. Preston Jr., of Hebron CT. and David A. Farnham and his wife Jane McNeill Farnahm of Port Washington WI. The sister of Marjorie Condon of Sandwich, she also leaves her grandchildren Christi Preston of Glastonbury CT, Linsay Preston of Hebron CT and Kate Farnham of Port Washington WI. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday February 23rd at the Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Avenue Needham at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Avenue Needham on Tuesday from 4-7 PM. Interment will be at Needham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Trudi’s name may be made to the Needham Council on Aging 83 Pickering Street Needham MA 02492 or to the Needham Community Council 51 Lincoln Street Needham MA 02492.