Gertrude M. (Bethune) Ricci, age 86, of Brockton, died unexpectedly June 18, 2020 at Tufts Medical Center. She was the loving wife for 61 years of the late Vincent N. Ricci. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Arthur E. and Mary J. (Tilt) Bethune.
Gertrude was raised in Roxbury and was a graduate of Roxbury Memorial Girls Jr. High School. Later in life she returned to school and in 1978 graduated from Braintree High School. She lived in Brockton for over 30 years. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed helping others and spending time with her children, family and friends. She volunteered at the concession stand for her sons’ Little League Baseball games and was an active member of the Brockton Council on Aging and Old Colony Elder Services. She also enjoyed sewing and word search puzzles.
Gertrude was the mother of Domenic A. Ricci and his wife Stephanie of Brockton, Vincent J. Ricci and his wife Jayne Melinda of Avon, Rosemarie A. Ricci of Brockton, Nicholas R. Ricci of Manchester, NH and the late Deborah A. McDermott; grandmother of Thomas McDermott, Elana Mari, Ariella Ricci, Savannah and Domenic Ricci; great grandmother of Lucas and John Mari; sister of Robert Bethune of Lakeville, Richard Bethune of Brockton, Henry Bethune of Holbrook, Ruth Ellen Assetta of Rockland, Wesley Bethune of E. Bridgewater, Mary Allen of Brockton. She was predeceased by her siblings Arthur Bethune, Jr., Dorothy Leverault, Henry C. “Sonny” Keough, Lloyd Bethune and Donna Crosby. Gertrude is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews.
Private family graveside services will be held. A celebration of her life will be held for all to attend at a later date to be announced.
Donations may be made in Gertrude’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., 2121 K. Street, NW, Ste 200, Washington, DC 20037 or the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472.