Gertrude "Trudy" Elisabeth Johnson

Gertrude Elisabeth Johnson went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, after a brief illness. Trudy was born on July 31, 1925, in East Providence, Rhode Island to Peter and Clara Anderson, the third of their four children. She grew up in East Providence and was confirmed in the Christian faith at the Covenant Congregational Church of Providence. She graduated from East Providence High School in 1943. Following graduation, she attended Johnson & Wales College which, at the time, was a secretarial school.

In 1945, Trudy met Paul David Johnson on the hilltop of the Covenant youth camp in Cromwell, CT. They were married in Providence, RI in September of 1947 and resided in New Britain until 1958 when they moved their growing family to Berlin into the house that Trudy and Paul designed, and which Paul built. There they raised their four children: Wilma, Burton, Peter, and Robin. In 1989, Trudy and Paul moved to Florida. After three years there, longing for their New England roots and beloved church family, they moved back to Kensington where they lived until 2009 when they became residents of Covenant Village of Cromwell.

Trudy was a devoted wife and mother. She selflessly poured herself into the upbringing and nurturing of her four children, sending each into a life of service and faith. The Berlin homestead was a place of warmth, caring discipline, grace, sumptuous and joyful holiday feasts, creative homemaking, and elegant attention to detail. Throughout her decades of membership in Bethany Covenant Church, Trudy served in many capacities - as Sunday School teacher, volunteer, committee participant, and choir member. Trudy was an avid reader and a lifelong learner, as evidenced by her knowledge of the Bible and her thoughtful understanding of the Christian faith. She loved to paint and became accomplished in the Norwegian folk art of Rosemåling, even teaching it periodically. Her artistic gifts survive her in many forms, not the least of which are hundreds of hand-painted ornaments, made for the children of the church, that continue to grace Christmas trees throughout the region. Trudy and Paul were married for nearly 70 years, a loving union that continues to serve as a humble model of faithfulness, commitment, and godliness. Above all else, Trudy loved God with all her heart and she departed this earthly life in the full confidence that her faith would be made complete.