Gertrude F. “Trudy ” Gillespie
August 25th, 1930 - April 24th, 2023
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Trudy's Obituary
Gertrude “Trudy” Gillespie, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 24, 2023, at her home.
Trudy was born on August 25, 1930, to Otto & Frieda (Pinz) Klann in St. Joseph. She was the second of three children. In 1945, Trudy started working at Gillespie’s Drug Store, starting at the soda fountain, making chocolate sodas and milkshakes to eventually managing the whole store outside of the pharmacy. She graduated with the class of 1948 from St. Joseph High School.
On September 9, 1951, Trudy married the love of her life, Bill Gillespie, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Together they had four children: Frank, Victoria, Paul and Tom. The drugstore remained a hallmark of the family, even after they sold the business in 1985. Trudy went on to work at a few businesses on State Street, including the Grapevine Gourmet and the famous Toy Company, where she grew to know everyone downtown.
She was an active member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ within their Women’s Fellowship and the Garden Club. She also volunteered at the Krasl Art Center, as well as at Habitat for Humanity building houses, and she often walked in 5k charity events. She was an excellent cook, she loved to read on her back deck, and she thoroughly enjoyed a good round of backgammon and gin rummy. Before retiring from the game, she played golf regularly with Bill, as well as on a women's league, and always enjoyed the company of friends. There was a time she was an avid bowler, too.
Trudy is survived by her three remaining children, Victoria Anne Gillespie, Robert Paul Gillespie, Thomas William Gillespie; daughter-in-law Anjum Aziz Gillespie; grandchildren, Mariam Aziz Gillespie (Alan) Robinson and Kim Aziz Gillespie; great-grandsons, Oliver Fareed Robinson and Beau Aziz Robinson; special friends, Frank & Sharon Fekete, Bill & Bella Foulkes, David Hinkamp & Lu Rocha, Gloria Muth, Betsy Reif, Susan Benner, Ted & Leslie Robinson, Anne Jaeger-Heiden & Ed Heiden and Kate Baker Corella; cousin Margie Stiles and many cousins in Germany; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Otto & Frieda Klann; her husband of 64 years, Bill Gillespie; son Frank Gillespie; daughter-in-law Pamela Gillespie; and brothers Paul Klann and Irving Klann.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 12 pm, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with Pastor Wade Panse officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 10:30 am until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation, 2580 South Cleveland Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence message may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Arrangements
Trudy was born on August 25, 1930, to Otto & Frieda (Pinz) Klann in St. Joseph. She was the second of three children. In 1945, Trudy started working at Gillespie’s Drug Store, starting at the soda fountain, making chocolate sodas and milkshakes to eventually managing the whole store outside of the pharmacy. She graduated with the class of 1948 from St. Joseph High School.
On September 9, 1951, Trudy married the love of her life, Bill Gillespie, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Together they had four children: Frank, Victoria, Paul and Tom. The drugstore remained a hallmark of the family, even after they sold the business in 1985. Trudy went on to work at a few businesses on State Street, including the Grapevine Gourmet and the famous Toy Company, where she grew to know everyone downtown.
She was an active member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ within their Women’s Fellowship and the Garden Club. She also volunteered at the Krasl Art Center, as well as at Habitat for Humanity building houses, and she often walked in 5k charity events. She was an excellent cook, she loved to read on her back deck, and she thoroughly enjoyed a good round of backgammon and gin rummy. Before retiring from the game, she played golf regularly with Bill, as well as on a women's league, and always enjoyed the company of friends. There was a time she was an avid bowler, too.
Trudy is survived by her three remaining children, Victoria Anne Gillespie, Robert Paul Gillespie, Thomas William Gillespie; daughter-in-law Anjum Aziz Gillespie; grandchildren, Mariam Aziz Gillespie (Alan) Robinson and Kim Aziz Gillespie; great-grandsons, Oliver Fareed Robinson and Beau Aziz Robinson; special friends, Frank & Sharon Fekete, Bill & Bella Foulkes, David Hinkamp & Lu Rocha, Gloria Muth, Betsy Reif, Susan Benner, Ted & Leslie Robinson, Anne Jaeger-Heiden & Ed Heiden and Kate Baker Corella; cousin Margie Stiles and many cousins in Germany; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Otto & Frieda Klann; her husband of 64 years, Bill Gillespie; son Frank Gillespie; daughter-in-law Pamela Gillespie; and brothers Paul Klann and Irving Klann.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 12 pm, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with Pastor Wade Panse officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 10:30 am until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation, 2580 South Cleveland Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence message may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Arrangements
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