GLOUCESTER: Katherine “Renee” Gross-Nutbrown, 89, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, March 25, 2007, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, following an extended illness.
Renee came to Gloucester in the mid 1950s and immediately recognized how special a place it was. She was extremely active in the community. Among other things, she served as Chairman of the Board of Health and then as Chairman of the School Committee.
Renee was an active member of the League of Women Voters and The City Democratic Committee. She loved politics and was always ready, willing and able to exchange political points of view. Renee lived and fought for equal rights for women long before there was a feminist movement, setting a positive example for many women, both young and old. She helped start Partners for AGH to make certain Gloucester’s interests were protected after the Addison Gilbert / Beverly Hospital merger.
During the ‘70s and ‘80s, when she was a Board of Health Inspector, many restaurant owners dreaded seeing the big white 1972 Checker Marathon pull up with Renee on board, knowing they were in store for a tough by-the-book health inspection.
Renee was a staunch defender of the environment long before it became fashionable. She was an active member of the Gloucester Civic and Garden Club. We all owe more than one unobstructed view or piece of open space to Renee.
For three plus decades, Renee’s antique/junk shop, Tragabigzanda, with the properly attired mannequin Matilda seated on the front landing, was a mainstay on Rocky Neck (located above the Rudder Restaurant).
Renee’s door was always open, and she couldn’t help but take in every stray that came along, whether they had four legs or two. She loved a good get-together and was always ready for a game of cards or “Rummikub.”
Renee leaves this world all the better for being in it; she will truly be missed.
She is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Richard K. Nutbrown, a daughter and son-in-law, Gretchen and Thomas Graziano, sons, Mate Gross, Joe and his wife, Judi Gross, Tony Gross and his wife, Abbie Lundberg, and Joe and his wife, Cheryl Delgardo, grandchildren, Alex and Lucy Gross, Leaf and Julius Gross, Mary and husband James Robert Russell, Melissa Graziano, David Graziano and Stephen and his wife, Leslie Graziano and great-granddaughters, Julie Marie, Emily and Alyssa Rose Russell. Renee was predeceased by her first husband, Bill Gross, and her grandson, Willie Gross.
A memorial service followed by a collation will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Middle St. in Gloucester on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 1 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Katherine E. Nutbrown Scholarship Fund c/o June Michaels PO Box 244 Rockport, MA 01966, founded to inspire the next generation of involved, informed citizens through an annual scholarship at Cape Ann’s three high schools. For more information and online condolences, please visit www.grondinfuneralservices.com.