Gertrude (Trude) Schaeffer, age 87, beloved mother of Ingrid and John Schaeffer, passed away on April 13, 2021 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. She was the treasured wife of the late Johann Schaeffer. She is predeceased by her son John Schaeffer. Born in Salzburg, Austria on July 12, 1933 to Anna Hoeller and Paul Tatchol. Gertrude was one of four sisters and a brother.
Gertrude and Johann immigrated to the United States in 1957 and lived in West Haven, then Woodbridge, and for their final years in Hamden, CT. Gertrude worked for Mite Corporation/New Haven Manufacturing in New Haven, CT as a Cost Analyst. After retiring, Gertrude was a volunteer for AmeriCorps where she enjoyed reading to young children and at The Senior Center in Hamden, where she loved calling BINGO. She also loved her small condominium community and enjoyed strolls around the courtyard stopping to chat with her neighbors. Her hobbies included crocheting christening blankets for the Lady of MT Carmel Church in Hamden, and watching UCONN Girls’ Basketball as well as world soccer games. Gertrude was an avid baker and was famous among friends and family for her Austrian Linzer cookies which she baked in abundance for both her granddaughters’ weddings.
Her favorite memories include hosting large picnics and holiday celebrations and being part of every moment of her granddaughters growing up. Gertrude beamed with pride at their graduation ceremonies seeing one granddaughter receive her Doctor of Law and another her Doctor of Medicine. She enthusiastically welcomed their husbands, Karim and Dylan and took joy in watching her family grow. She delighted in holding and playing with her great grandchildren, Asha and Nava.
Though she loved her daughter, Ingrid, more than life itself, it was Ingrid’s husband, Emad, that was her rock. Besides Ingrid Schaeffer, Gertrude is also is survived by her daughter-in-law, Susan, granddaughter Nicole, and great grandchild, Xavier.
Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, a private mass of Christian Burial by invitation only will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 81 Center Road, Woodbridge, CT on Friday, April 16 at 11am.
The family is forever grateful to CT Hospice and the kindness of all the nurses and staff that helped make Gertrude’s final weeks joyful, peaceful and full of love.
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