Gertrude Genevieve Pirko, 98, of Great Mills, MD, passed away on March 13, 2021 at home.

She was born on February 20, 1923 in Lake Milton, OH, to the late John Adam and Veronica (Hazlin) Adam.

Gertrude graduated from Jackson Milton High School in North Jackson, OH. She proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII from June 17, 1943 until her honorable discharge on December 13, 1945 as a Pharmacists Mate Third Class in the WAVES. She was stationed in Oakland, CA, and Seattle, WA, where she served as a nursing assistant and beautician to many veterans. She was awarded the American Campaign Ribbon and the WWII Victory Medal.

On July 19, 1947, she married her beloved husband, Paul Pirko, in North Jackson, OH. Together they celebrated over 56 wonderful years of marriage before her husband's passing in 2004. Since 2005, she has lived in Great Mills, MD.

She was employed as the activities director for the Bel Air Convalescent Home in Bel Air, MD. She and her husband enjoyed taking cruises and travelling throughout the country and abroad, including Yellowstone National Park, Canada, and Spain. She was an artist and created several beautiful watercolor paintings. She liked to go fishing and was skilled in needlepoint. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was a troop leader for many years with Girl Scouts of America, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 58 in Dunnellon, FL, and a Charter Member of WAVES National.

Gertrude is survived by her children, Kenneth Pirko of Great Mills, MD, Karen Nash (Willie, Dec.), of Rio Vista, CA, John Pirko (Theresa) of Hanover, VA, and Matthew Pirko (Patty Ruth) of Lorena, TX, her sister, Mary DeMoss of Darrouzett, TX, and five grandchildren, Angela Kay Pirko, John-Paul Pirko, Cody Pirko, Nick Pirko, and Nicola Nash. She was preceded in death by her brothers, John, Edward, and Albert Adam, and her sister Cecilia Hulvey.

Family will receive friends on Friday, March 19, 2021, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 4:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Reverend Jerry Gamrot on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., at Holy Face Catholic Church, 20408 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Kenneth Pirko, John Pirko, Matthew Pirko, John-Paul Pirko, and Angela Pirko.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650; Holy Face Catholic Church, 20408 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634; or the Alzheimer's Association, 10665 Stanhaven Place, Suite 205D, White Plains, MD 20695.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P. A.