Gertrude Marie D’Amico

Gertrude Marie D’Amico was born on April 17,1922 (95 years old) to Theresa and John Lucia. She was an only child until age 8 when her sister Rita arrived. They lived in San Francisco on Russian Hill surrounded by extended family. Gertrude attended Green Valley Elementary, Marina Junior High and finally Galileo High School where she met Frank Anthony D’Amico – San Franciscans through and through. They married on May 16, 1942; this year commemorates 75 years! A secret ingredient to their successful and long marriage was that they truly accepted each other’s uniqueness. After three years of marriage their only daughter, Jane Marie was born. Their family was complete. Veronica was the first grandchild and then came Austin. Veronica called her Gertie when they first met and later when Austin arrived, it was Nanny. She was revered and loved by her talented nieces & nephews; Marianne, Steven, Linda, Jeff, Angel, Nick and countless other family & friends.

Gertrude was a wise, kind, genuine, strong, artistic and formative woman. Her family was her treasure. She loved feeding them, hosting them at her home and sharing her many artistic and gardening skills. Gertrude, even into her nineties, dressed with class and fashion – a detail was never missed from hats to purses to beautiful pins. As the cornerstone of the family, her guidance will be missed - she would always advise us fairly and with deep compassion. When Jane met Al, her son-in-law, she called him her “son”. She trusted, laughed and relied on him. He jokingly called her ‘Yoda’ – wise, small and standing at 4’6 but giant in character. All of us shared much love, laughter and joy together. Al & Jane share the same wedding anniversary as Gertrude & Frank and she shared a beautiful quote with them on one of their anniversaries – “Among God’s best gift to us are the people who love us.” She leaves us with a beautiful legacy to follow….Gertrude will be interred at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Wednesday May 10th at 12:30pm.