Gertrud
Donath
April 11, 1930 - August 3, 2019
Born in Kleeberg, Germany
Resided in North Scituate, RI
Gertrud Donath, 89, passed away Saturday, August 3, 2019. Gertrud was born in Kleeberg, Germany to Karl and Martha Zemke. She spent her early teen years, along with her parents, escaping the onslaught of World War II. Being forced out of their family farm, they walked by foot and settled in Westphalen, Germany. Her family’s strong belief in God and forgiveness toward others helped them through this tragic time.
When she married her beloved husband Horst, they and their two young daughters were sponsored by the World Council of Churches to come to America. They arrived in New York City harbor by ship, where Reverend Dewitt C. Clemens took them to their new home at Mathewson Street Church in Providence. They later obtained their citizenship and were proud to be called Americans. Years later they moved to Scituate to build a family homestead for their children. Gertrud worked hard and had numerous jobs to help support her family. She was employed by St. Joseph’s Hospital in the Special Diets Kitchen for over 20 years. Her friendships were many and her compassion for helping others shone through her life every day. She and her husband strived to provide for their family. A house was built, land was cleared and soil tilled for vegetable gardens along with colorful garden beds. She loved to hang out clothes on the line even in the wintertime, and could stack clean neat cords of wood. Her family was her life. When the sun was shining or a full moon was on the rise, she would marvel at God’s creations. Her ability to forgive and love was never ending. She loved all animals for they were God’s creation. There was always a cat following her while she fed the chickens.
Along with her children and their husbands, she loved her grandson deeply.
She is survived by her children, Gerlinde and husband Shawn Thomas, Heidelore and husband David Sisson, Margaret Ogert and grandson William Hunter Horst Ogert.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Shepherd of the Valley Church, 604 Seven Mile Rd., Hope, RI on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
A gathering for all family and friends will immediately follow at the family home. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Hope Health Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904-5719. The nurses and entire staff at Hope Health Hospice were angels on earth and greatly comforted and cared for the entire family during her last days.
When she married her beloved husband Horst, they and their two young daughters were sponsored by the World Council of Churches to come to America. They arrived in New York City harbor by ship, where Reverend Dewitt C. Clemens took them to their new home at Mathewson Street Church in Providence. They later obtained their citizenship and were proud to be called Americans. Years later they moved to Scituate to build a family homestead for their children. Gertrud worked hard and had numerous jobs to help support her family. She was employed by St. Joseph’s Hospital in the Special Diets Kitchen for over 20 years. Her friendships were many and her compassion for helping others shone through her life every day. She and her husband strived to provide for their family. A house was built, land was cleared and soil tilled for vegetable gardens along with colorful garden beds. She loved to hang out clothes on the line even in the wintertime, and could stack clean neat cords of wood. Her family was her life. When the sun was shining or a full moon was on the rise, she would marvel at God’s creations. Her ability to forgive and love was never ending. She loved all animals for they were God’s creation. There was always a cat following her while she fed the chickens.
Along with her children and their husbands, she loved her grandson deeply.
She is survived by her children, Gerlinde and husband Shawn Thomas, Heidelore and husband David Sisson, Margaret Ogert and grandson William Hunter Horst Ogert.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Shepherd of the Valley Church, 604 Seven Mile Rd., Hope, RI on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
A gathering for all family and friends will immediately follow at the family home. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Hope Health Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904-5719. The nurses and entire staff at Hope Health Hospice were angels on earth and greatly comforted and cared for the entire family during her last days.
Burial
Private
Celebration of Life Service
Shepherd of the Valley United Metodist Church
604 Seven Mile Road
Hope, RI 02831
Hope, RI 02831
Hope Health Hospice & Palliative Care
1085 North Main St.
Providence, RI 02904
Providence, RI 02904
