A Life Well Lived.

Gertrud Reed, born May 25, 1929, at age 88, passed away suddenly but peacefully at home on December 27, 2017.

Gertrud was a woman of great character and wonderful qualities. Adventurous, creative, hard working, smart, generous, fun-loving, direct, but above all, Gertrud was a woman who loved Jesus Christ her Lord with all her heart and wanted to share Him with others. Each day Gertrud looked forward to reading her Bible and praying faithfully for people. What a blessing it was knowing Gertrud was covering us all in prayer.

Family was Gertrud’s great joy and she treasured every moment spent with her seven grandchildren, Ian (Emma), Sarah, Luke, Jacob, Jack, Samuel and Bronwyn, and with her three sons and daughters-in-law, Geoff and Karen, Duncan and AnnaMarie, Greg and Roselynn.

Some of Gertrud’s most cherished moments were family vacations in Pennsylvania, Mont Tremblant, the Panama Canal, and Alaska; watching Ian’s, Sarah’s, Luke’s, Jacob’s, Jack’s, and Samuel’s hockey games, making her famous rum balls with Jacob and Jack; travelling with Sarah to Newfoundland; listening to Samuel play trumpet in school concerts, attending graduations, being part of Ian’s and Emma’s wedding, shopping with Bronwyn, and family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It would not take Gertrud long to break out in laughter reminiscing and explaining with delight a funny situation that occurred when spending time with a grandchild, son or daughter-in-law … and she never held back telling someone how proud she was of her children and grandchildren.

Friends were dear to Gertrud, so she made it a priority to stay connected with them whether they lived close or on the other side of the world. Phoning often and regularly, Gertrud made sure friends knew they were on her heart and important. Gertrud also made her friends feel important when she welcomed them into her home for a cup of tea or a week-long stay.

Born in Germany to Josef and Veronika Facini, Gertrud was the youngest and only sister to three brothers, Otto (Hella), Ludwig (Elisabeth), and Eugene (Christine). Gertrud would say her father treated her like a princess … spoiled her, but her brothers would do no such thing and as a result, Gertrud quickly learned to stand her ground.

In 1952 at the age of 23, Gertrud journeyed on her own to Canada, eventually becoming a Canadian citizen and residing in Montreal. It was in Montreal Gertrud met her darling husband, Donald Arthur Reed. The two married on February 14th 1959 and were together for 26 wonderful years until Donald’s passing in 1985.

In 1964 the family moved from Montreal to Toronto where Don and Gertrud raised their three sons. Gertrud obtained her real estate licence a few years later, becoming a top relator for Royal LePage. Many will remember Gertrud fondly for her honesty and integrity in helping them sell or purchase a home.

An avid traveller, Gertrud had visited every continent and many countries. As a result, it was often challenging finding a country she had not been to when trying to plan a family vacation.

Finally, Gertrud was active and clear thinking to the end. She was always willing to try new things and discuss the latest topic.

We are so thankful for our mother, grandmother and friend … for the life Gertrud lived and the legacy she has left behind … and thankful she is in her eternal home in Heaven with her Lord.

Mom, Nana, Friend … you will be greatly missed but forever remembered and cherished.

“Well done good and faithful servant” - Matthew 25:21