Gertrude Emma (Holt) Rushton, 95, long-time resident of Salem, NH, died Friday, February 26, 2010, at the Hancock Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Quincy, MA.
Gertrude was born in Lawrence, MA, daughter of the late John and Ellen (Searle) Holt and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1931. She then attended and graduated from Salem State Teacher’s College in 1935 and started her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Vermont. Gertrude later worked as an Elementary School Teacher within the Salem, NH School System for many years until her retirement. Following her retirement, she and her husband moved to Hampton, NH where she had spent her summers since her childhood and they lived there for many years. Some of Gertrude’s fondest meories were her summers together with her family in Hampton.
Gertrude married Joseph H. Rushton on February 24, 1943. They had their first date on Pearl Harbor Day and immediately after their marriage, Joseph went off to England to serve in the Army Air Corps. After the War, they settled in Salem where they raised their family. They celebrated their 67th anniversary together at Hancock Park this past Wednesday.
Gertrude leaves her loving husband, Joseph, her children, Barbara Bourdelais of Alpena, Michigan, Janet Johnson of Fairbanks, Alaska, Audrey Rushton of Quincy, MA and Joseph Rushton of Flagler Beach, Florida. She also leaves her grandchildren Christine Bourdelais Giordano, Ellen Johnson, Erik Johnson, and Michael Rushton her great granddaughters Brittany, Ashley, and Carlee Giordano, and her brother Ralph E. Holt of Oregon.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Goundrey and Dewhirst Funeral Home of Salem, NH. Friends are invited to call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday March 2nd at the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA. A Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, March 3 at 2:00 pm at the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church in Salem, NH. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Salem, NH. Flowers may be sent to the Keohane Funeral Home in Quincy, MA. Donations in Gertrude’s name may be made to any charity of your choice.