Obituary of Gertrude Erhart

OBITUARY Gertrude Erhart., 88 died peacefully Sunday morning October 26, 2008 at Bel Air Manor Nursing Center in Newington where she was a resident. She was the daughter of the late Mary (Begos) and Lawrence John Erhart. She was born in New Hartford September 26, 1920 and graduated from New Britain High School in 1938 in New Britain. She went to Moody's School of Business. In 1944, she joined the Women Armed Service Corps of United States Marines during World War II., with basic training in North Carolina. She was stationed for two years in Quantico, Virginia in war administration, serving two years and discharged in 1946. She attended school in New York City studying embalming. She worked at The State of CT Normal School, now Central Connecticut State University in the administration building for several years. After enrolling as a student at Central, she received a BS degree in Elementary Education. She also earned her Masters Degree and Sixth Year Degree in Education. She worked in the New Britain School System as a Reading Consultant where she loved to teach children to read. She was involved in teaching for 38 years and retired in 1990 at age 70. She taught at Elihu Burritt School with Vincent Mercadanti, the North End School and at the Vance School. She earned Outstanding Teacher awards many successive years. Following her retirement from the city of New Britain, she enjoyed retirement and volunteered her time serving for 5,800 hours for the Veterans VA Hospital in Newington, Connecticut. She was a long time and active member of All Saints Church and St. Ann's in New Britain. She enjoyed spending summers at her beach house in Cornfield Point Saybrook, CT. Her hobbies included oil painting, music, and going to local Stage Shows. She was an avid reader, reading one novel each day. She served for many years a Secretary for the First Catholic Women's Slovak Association, also serving as the local union representative. She is survived by her nephew, Lawrence C. Erhart and his wife Janet K. Erhart of Gales Ferry, CT, by grand nephews, Jeffrey of Groton, Daniel and grand neice Laura Erhart of Gales Ferry, She also leaves several cousins, Lillian Trivella, Mary Zemchak and Lorraine Yurchak and several other relatives throughout CT. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday November 7th, at 10:00 A.M. At St. Ann's Church North St. New Britain, burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery New Britain., Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until time of Mass at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that all contributions be made out to: Gift in Memory of Gertrude Erhart, payable to VITAS Hospice Charitable Fund 255 Pitkin St. East Hartford, CT or To the American Cancer Society 538 Preston Ave. Meriden, CT 06450.