BENSON, Gertrude Louise (O’Connell), of Wilmington MA, Laconia NH, Jensen Beach FL, and formerly of Winthrop MA. passed away October 29, 2010. Born July 11, 1917 to the late William & Gertrude O’Connell. Preceded in death by husband Charles Benson of Winthrop. Survived by daughter Trudy and son-in-law Robert Crowell of Wilmington, MA and son Charles and daughter-in-law July Benson of Wilmington MA. Survived by sister Marie Healy of Winthrop. Preceded in death by brothers William, Edmund, John, and sister Geraldine Shamhart. Survived by brothers-in-law Andrew Benson and Robert Benson and sisters-in-law Virginia O’Connell and Marguerite Benson. Preceded in death by brothers-in-law Alvin Shamhart, Robert Healy and Hermon Benson, sisters-in-law Patricia Mastrangelo and Mary O’Connell. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews on both the Benson and O’Connell sides of the family. Funeral from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home 210 Winthrop St. WINTHROP on Weds. Nov. 3, at 10:30am. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church at 11:30am. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will be in Winthrop Cemetery. Visiting hours are Tues. only 2-4 and 7-9. Born the third of six children in East Boston, Gertrude lived her entire life in the East Boston/Winthrop area, only moving to Wilmington during the last 12 years. As a child, Gertrude’s family owned a small store in East Boston called Okies. Gertrude was a very good swimmer and told tales of swimming with her brothers for miles in Boston harbor and of rolling logs. She lived through the depression and World War II and often spoke of her friends who did not return from the war. As a young lady she worked for the phone company, Boston Insurance, Suburban Electric in Winthrop, the Elks club in Winthrop, and Harvey Radio in Cambridge just to name a few. She taught first and second grade for almost 30 years at the E.B. Newton School in Winthrop. She and Charlie loved to dance and for many years went almost every Saturday night to the various hot spots in and around Boston. Her favorite singer was Dean Martin and she loved the music of the big bands. When her children were young she bought a cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee where the family spent many a summer. After she retired, she bought a home in Jensen Beach FL where she has been spending winters since 1992. She lived the last years of her life with her daughter Trudy and son-in-law Rob. In Lieu of flowers make a donation to in Gertrude's name to either of her favorite charities. The Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center, 322 Riverbend Road, Louisa, KY 41230 or St Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, SD 57326. For guestbook and directions, go to www.mauricekirbyfh.com.