Services
Obituary
Guest Book
1926
2017
Gertrude P. Berthiaume, age 91, died at her home at Williamsburg Landing in Williamsburg, Virginia on Thursday, May 18th, 2017 with her family at her bedside. Gert was born on April 4, 1926 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, to the late Alfred Peloquin and Honora Ouelette Peloquin. She was married in 1950 to Joseph Berthiaume, also from Southbridge, and had a daughter, Denise, born in 1957. Gert and Joe moved to Huntington, New York, in 1960, where Gert started work in the Personnel and Administration Departments at Huntington Hospital. In 1987, Gert retired from her position as Employee Staffing Specialist in Human Resources at Huntington Hospital, and she and Joe moved to Williamsburg.
Never one to sit still for long, Gert volunteered at Colonial Williamsburg from 1987 to 2009, where she was coordinator of volunteers at the CW Visitor Center and served on the CW Advisory Council. Starting in 1987, she also volunteered for the Williamsburg Community Hospital-later Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center-where she became Director of Volunteers and was a member of the hospital Auxiliary Board. Among her various volunteer and fundraising projects at Sentara, Gert was particularly proud of a program that she created under the auspices of the Hospital Auxiliary to provide free mammograms to the uninsured, a program which continues to this day.
Gert's many volunteer efforts in Williamsburg were recognized both locally and nationally. She received the American Hospital Association's "Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence"; the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's "Health Heroes Award"; the Williamsburg "Women with a Cause Award"; and President Barack Obama's "Call to Service Award," given to Gert in 2009 in recognition of more than 10,000 volunteer hours at Sentara Hospital. Gert also served on the Boards of Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels and the Williamsburg Regional Library Foundation, and was a member of Saint Bede parish. In her "spare" time, Gert was an avid bridge player and enjoyed knitting, sewing, and needlework.
Gert is survived by her husband Joe, her daughter Denise, her brother Charlie, her cousin Jackie Livingston, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and close friends. A funeral mass will be held at St. Bede Church on Friday May 26th at 9 am, and a reception for Gert's many friends will be held in the Anderson Auditorium at Williamsburg Landing on Friday May 26th from 2 to 4 pm.
In honor of Gert's passion for serving the health care needs of others, memorial donations may be sent in her name to the Sentara Hospital Auxiliary, 100 Sentara Circle, Williamsburg, VA 23188, or at www.auxiliaryswrmc.org
Arrangements under the direction of Nelsen Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg.
2 Entries
May 20, 2017
Marie Bond
Dear Joe, I am heart broken over Gert passing away. I know this is such a difficult time for you and your daughter. I loved and admired her so much. She was so dear to me and Tom and I send you our strength and courage to bare this loss. Love Marie
May 20, 2017
Michael White
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
Funeral services provided by:
Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more