Gertrude Gwendolyn Getz Gass, 89 of Abell, Maryland died September 24, 2009 at St. Mary's Nursing Center. Mrs. Gass was a lifelong homemaker. She was born in the Township of Sugarloaf, Columbia County, Pennsylvania on May 29, 1920. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Harold Getz and Lillian Bluebell Giberson Getz Vognetz.

Mrs. Gass was preceded by her husband of 65 years, George Frederick Gass, who passed way earlier this year (April 13, 2009). Mr. and Mrs. Gass were married on December 25, 1943 at Holy Angels Church in Avenue, MD.

Gertrude Gass was a loving mother, who held a special place in her heart for animals, especially her kitty "Peaches".

She is survived by five daughters and four son-in-laws: Lillian Goldsborough of Hollywood, Regina Morgan and her husband Andy of Compton, Eleanor Tyson and her husband Stan of Compton, Karen Bowles and her husband Randy of Clements and Ruth Hammett and her husband Robin of Clements.

Mrs. Gass was preceded in death by her twin daughters, who died at birth. She enjoyed 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.

Her surviving siblings are Edith Butts, Eleanor Warfield and Clyde Getz. Gertrude's surviving sister in laws are Colleen Getz, Ann Getz and Mary Getz, all of Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Harold Getz (Angie), Henry Getz ( Vivian), Horton Getz, Irving Getz, John Getz, William Getz (Sarah), Beatrice Getz and one son in law, Jimmy Goldsborough.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 28, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.

Pallbearers are Mrs. Gass' grandsons, Mike Goldsborough, Kenny Goldsborough, George Morgan, James Morgan, Jason Bowles, Geoff Hammett and Chris Hammett. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters, Michelle Bean, Ann Barber, Amy Harrell, Sarah Tyson, Gwen Murphy and Sharon Ann Lathroum, as well as her great-grandchildren.

Contributions may be left to the 7 th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609 and/or St. Mary's Nursing Center Activity Center, P.O. Box 518, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.