Gertrude R. Sweeney, RN
(September 29, 1923 - July 17, 2007)
Gertrude R. Sweeney, R.N. A Nurses cap on her head Angel wings on her shoulders
St. Albans - Gertrude R. Sweeney, 83, a longtime area resident passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 17, 2007, at the Copley Manor in Morrisville. She was born in Montreal, Quebec on September 29, 1923, the daughter of the late Leonidas and Anna (Perreault) Magnan. Gert was married to Leo Norman Sweeney, who preceded her in death on January 14, 1961.
Let me dedicate my life today to the care of those who come my way.
Let me touch each one with healing hands and the gentle art for which I stand.
And when tonight when the day is done. Oh, let me rest in peace if I have helped just one...
Gertrude lived her life following this Nurse’s Creed to a tee.
Gertrude was educated at Holy Angels Elementary School, and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. She began her nursing career at her home taking care of her sister, Gabrielle and on the recommendation of the late Dr. Murray Dunsmore, she entered the St. Albans Hospital School of Nursing and received her Nursing Degree in 1945. During World War II, she was a member of the Cadet Corps. Gertrude was a longtime nurse at the former Kerbs Memorial Hospital and retired in 1989 as Supervisor at the Northwestern Medical Center. Even upon her retirement she continued to care for people, whenever and wherever she was needed. Sometimes this required Gertrude to walk several miles a day as she had no car. Gertrude gladly did this as long as she was physically able. She was a member of Holy Angels Parish and Ladies of St. Anne.
Survivors include her son, Peter Sweeney and his wife, Karen of Jeffersonville, three grandchildren, Nicole, Mason and Morgan Sweeney, a brother; Henry Magnan and his wife, Loretta of Fairfield, a sister; Monica Lemnah of Greenville, North Carolina, a sister-in-law, Loretta Magnan of Montpelier, an “adoptive daughter”, Nancy Rivera of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Gertrude was preceded in death by her niece, “adoptive daughter”, Mary Boissoneault, three sisters, Rose Duvas, Gabrielle Boudrias and Laurentia Magnan and four brothers; Napoleon, Joseph, Euclid and Leonidas Magnan
A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 20, 2007, at 2:00 P.M. in Holy Angels Catholic Church on Lake Street with the Reverend Maurice J. Roy celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in the Sweeney family lot in Mount Calvary Cemetery. At Gertrude’s request there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Martha’s Kitchen, P.O. Box 1561, St. Albans, Vermont 05478. Assisting Gertrude’s family is the Heald Funeral Home of St. Albans. Messages of condolence are welcome at
www.healdfuneralhome.com.[/b]
