FREEMAN; GERTRUDE VELMA, 86, of Greenfield, Queens County, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 10, 2017.
Born in New Elm, she was the daughter of the late Avery and Lottie (Uhlman) Freeman.
She was a caring and gregarious woman who had a great sense of humor. Gertie was well known and loved for her annual yard sale that she operated faithfully for the last 50 years. She also enjoyed going to other yard sales to find treasures for her own yard sale. Gertie enjoyed playing cards, baking and she also enjoyed traveling in her younger years.
She is survived by a daughter, Virginia Bowmaster, of Bridgewater; sons, Lewis (Darlene), of Bakers Settlement, Willard Bowmaster, of Chelsea; grandchildren, Craig, Amanda, Adam, Nathaniel; great granddaughter, Alexis.
She was predeceased by a daughter in infancy, Bonita.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool. A private family service will be held at a later date. No flowers by request, donations may be made to the Greenfield Fire Department, Asthma Society of Canada or to the Canadian Diabetic Association. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.chandlersfuneral.com
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Donna,Kim Crouse and family
thinking of you all at this difficult time,Gertie sure will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.
Sylvia Langille
Dear Bunny, Lewis & Verginia and families,
So sorry to hear about your mother! I have fond memories of her and your family.
Take care and God Bless! RIP Gertie
Sylvia and Mike Langille
Myrna Crouse
To the family:
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s death. Had lots of great chuckles with her over the years. You will miss her but remember the good times you had with her. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Myrna(Freeman)Crouse
sylvia forbes
to the family of Gertie’s;
Sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, rip my friend;
George & Pauline Wessell
Dear Bunny, Lewis & Virginia and families,
To say that we will miss your “Mom” is an understatement……we enjoyed the times that we spent with her at her yard sales….never quite know what you were going to find to take back home and treasure….I (Pauline) remember years ago setting up with her with my Mom (Jean)…..We have such fond memories….and we know that you all have even more of them so keep them close and remember that we are thinking of you all..
Pauline & George Wessell,
Kathy and Bernie Rumbolt; Nellie Crouse
Dear Virginia,Willie, Lewis and family,
We are very sorry to learn of Gertie’s passing. Greenfield has forever changed. We will miss our visits with her and her innocent flirtations with the men. We know she had a recent complication in her health and now her suffering is over. May she rest in peace.
Kathy,Bernie and Nellie
Anne MacDonald
Dear Ginnie and Family. It’s always to soon to loose someone you love. Dear Gertie warmed every heart she ever met. Ginnie you are an incredible Daughter. Much love to you, and yours. Sincerely, Anne and Steve MacDonald
Louise Bruce
So very sorry to hear about Gertie’s passing. I have many fond memories of her from the years I lived in Greenfield. My prayers are with you all as you struggle through this sad and difficult time.
Rod & Ann Golden
Willie and family, sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. We are thinking of you at this sad time . Rod, Ann, Michael, Craig & Family
Carolyn Hudson
She will be missed so much here in Greenfield as we always stopped to say hello to her and wish her a great day. She was a wonderful lady and I want to extend my condolences to her family. She is in God’s hands now.
Royce Getson
The loss of loved ones always hits us hard but we know you mom is in a better place where there is no pain or sorrow. She will be remembered by all who have dropped in to see her over the many years she set up shop. Lets all share in those memories and keep them close to our hearts. I felt blessed by being able to share a birthday cake from the church mission with her. God Bless you all.
Cathy Smith
Dear Bunny, Lewis & Verginia and families….
I am so sorry to hear that Gertie has passed….I have to say she was a very special kind of lady…lol
Gertie will be the subject of discussion for many years by generations to follow…many laughs…and fond memories…A great neighbour and friend…
Love to all of you….
Cathy
david leblanc
sorry to hear of your loss
Margie Joudrey and family
Sorry to hear of your Moms passing, we have a lot of great memories over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Cavell Nowe
So sorry to hear of Gertie’s passing she was a wonderful and funny lady will miss stopping in to chat.My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Kathryn Ramey
So sorry to hear about Gertie. She will be missed by all.
Ronnie, Kathy and Nicky.
Marlene and Boardie
So Sorry for your loss she was a wonderful lady. Enjoyed many games of cards when I worked for her and she had to win, She is going to be greatly missed in the village.
Peter and Virginia Stafford
So sorry for your loss. Our condolences to the Bowmaster family.P
Crystal Conrad
Such sad news, Louis, Bunny and Virginia,
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Greenfield will not be the same without her. I remember doing my Christmas shopping at the gift shop as a child, and my girls always loved stopping by, especially Hannah.
Her laughter and humour and caring heart will surely be missed.
Wes Zwicker
I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Best wishes to you all at this sad time.
Anne Colbert
Lewis and Bunny and Virginia
So sorry to hear of your mother’s death. May your memories get your families through this difficult time.
Anne Colbert (Fred Freeman’s cousin from Dartmouth)
Doris Atkins
Condolences to the family.
MaryAnn (Eisenhauer) Sutherland
Gertie was always such a special lady, and everytime we came to Greenfield, we always stopped in to visit! As children, we were excited to visit her and rummage through her many treasures! I last saw her last summer. She has a special place in my heart. Many blessings to the family as y’all navigate through this new season of your life. I’ll be praying for you. Greenfield won’t be the same without Gert!
Matthew, Tamara and boys.
Bunny, Craig and Amanda
So sorry to hear of your mom/grandmothers passing. She was a great lady. Always so pleasant. Matthew has many fond memories of working for her so many years ago. Please know you are in our thoughts. Let us know if there is anything you need.
Tina Van Kroonenburgh
My family has so many great memories of Gerty. She will truly be missed. Our condolences to the family and may she RIP <3 love Tina, Jake, Jesse and Ron
Natalie
Thinking of the family at this difficult time.
I have fond memories of her that I will carry always.
karen hall
so very sorry to hear of your loss. I am glad her years of suffering have come to and end for her sake. I wish I had some magic words which would make everything better but there are no words. I am glad she made it to the 50 year mark with her yard sales which I never she enjoyed very much. She will now be reunited with her parents. Virginia take comfort in knowing that you did everything you could possibly do putting your own life on hold to help her these many years.
Shirley & Michael
So sorry to hear the news of your Mom’s passing. I have a lot of great memories from the time I was a little girl going to your house. Gertie was loved by so many and will be greatly missed. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Barb Nilsson
My deepest sympathies to you Ginny and Nathaniel, Lewis and Willard and your families. I spent many mornings waiting for the school bus and perusing the tables at the house. She will remain a symbol of fortitute, fun, and big-heartedness within the community and be missed greatly.
Jill Hunt
My thoughts and prayers to the Bowmaster family.
I have fond memories of visiting her in her little store and listening to her stories.
She was a fixture in Greenfield and she will be missed.
Mona Mosher
Dear Bunny and families, sorry to hear of your mother’s passing! Take care! Bill & Mona Mosher
Debbie & Gene Wamboldt
Willy, Lewis & Virginia
So sorry to hear of you Mothers passing.May you know you are in our thoughts and prayers
June LeBlanc
Bunny, Virginia, Lewis and families, I was so sorry to hear about Gertie. She will be missed and my condolences go out to you and your families.
Cynthia( Fisher)Riley
Sending all my love to the family!
Carol Nilsson lannon
To the freeman family my sincerest sympathies. You are all in my thoughts thru this difficult time. Carol (Nilsson) Lannon, New Jersey, USA.
Chris Shelley
To Ginny and family ,
So very sorry for your loss.
Vivian Lenethen and family
Lewis, Virginia and Bunny;
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Please know we are thinking of you all at this sad time. We will miss seeing her this summer, as will so many others.
MaryAnn Faulkner-Oldham
Bunny, Louis, and Virginia and families
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was truly a great lady, and will be missed, Thinking of you all in this sad sad time.
MaryAnn Faulkner Oldham
Ruth Anne Zwicker
So sorry to hear that Gertie has passed. She was a part of my summer life in Greenfield since I was a young child. She will be missed by many and never forgotten. I will miss our conversations. Take care.
Greg and Sadie Joudrey
So sorry to hear of Gerties passing, she fills a big space in my childhood memories always smiling with a joke to tell. I’ll miss seeing her summer times yard selling…Rest in peace… Condolences to the family
Eric Frail
We are so very sorry to hear of your moms passing.All our toughts and prayers are with you all
Donna Covey
I would like to express my families message of condolence to Virginia , Willie and families . All my children over a long period of time plus my late husband Hale and I spent many hours at Gertie’s. We have many good memories of buying from her, and laughing with her and our cottage has a lot of things we bought from her. May she rest in peace.
Nita Fisher
She will be greatly missed by all and will not be forgotten .
Condolences to all
Barry and Nita
Jennifer
Bunny, Ginny and Lewis,
I have so many great memories of your Mom. As a child I used to like to visit Aunt Lottie and Uncle Avery and then go over to visit Gertie and see what she was up to. Your Mom always had a story to tell and a big smile. May the fond memories you hold of your Mom sustain you through your grief. She was a Greenfield icon and will be missed!
Jennifer
Kevin Freeman
Sending our thoughts and prayers to you all! Hold fast to the memories as you share your stories and great times you had together. She will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to know her. God bless you and give you strength as you move forward.
Love,
Kevin and Marsha
Betty and Bradford Cunningham
Sorry Bunny, Ginny and Lewis for your lost. We will keep you in our prayers. Your mom was a very pleasant lady and will be sadly missed. Your Friend Betty and Bradford
Kathy & Vaughn Rawding
Lewis, Bunny & Virginia
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, thinking of you all during this very sad time.
Treasure your memories
Yvonne and Rick Westhaver
So many laughing and kind memories of this sweet lady! She always looked for treasures, I hope she knew she was one herself!M she will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences on the loss of your Mother.
Karen Parnell Herrick
Lewis, Bunny, and Ginny,
I am shocked and saddened to hear of your Moms passing. She will be greatly missed in her community.
She was always my Moms best friend and I have a photo of the two of them when they worked together at the Freeman House, hanging in my entryway.
I have fond memories of your Mom and I wish her Godspeed in her new journey.
Debbie Joudrey
Lewis, Bunny and Virginia,
So sorry to hear about your Mom.My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time…
Paula & Al Doucet
So very sorry to hear that Gertie had passed away. She was a significant part of life in Greenfield. She will truly be missed.
Joseph & Muriel (Leaman) Miller
To All My Cousins and Family: Know our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. Gertie was an Amazing person. She will remain in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her <3
Susan Savage (Ross)
We are very sorry for your loss. Gertie was a wonderful lady and I enjoyed visiting her tables every summer. It was a tradition from when I was a small girl. The walks around her tables were fun, she always had a treasure she was willing to part with and many to just show you and reminisce about. She will be missed and I will miss our chats. God bless.
David and Christine Bolivar
Dear Willie.Lewis and Virginia – So sorry to hear about your Mother’s passing, we will miss her very much. Summer won’t be the same in Greenfield without her yard sale. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Allan & Joy Palmer
Dear Ginny and family,
Words cannot express the sadness we are feeling with the lose of our beloved Gertie. Things will never be the same when we go to Greenfield. She was our most important stop,with her hugs for Allan and her saying how are you today Joy. Rest In peace sweet lady you will always be in our hearts.
Gary ,Toddy & Miranda Mansfield
We are sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. Keep your memories close to your heart . Our thoughts and Prayers are with you .
Brian Fralic
So sorry to hear this.Gertie has been part of mine and my childrens life for many years. Always with a happy comment, smile and always looking for pot lids! She will truly be missed.
Valerie Rhyno
To Gert’s family.
I am very saddened to hear of Gert’s passing. I am surrounded by things I bought at her yard sale. She always invited me in for a cold drink and a chat. She was nice lady. I will miss her.
Brooke Lawrence & Girls
We will miss Gertie and her warm personality. My Wife and Daughters loved stopping to search for hidden treasures at her yard sale. It will be sad to see empty tables but we will take comfort knowing that she is now operating her sales in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. God love her and her Family!
Marianne Morrison
I will miss seeing Gertie at her roadside flea market. I began stopping and making purchases as a child of her depression glass in her HI Ho store. Throughout the years I would drop in fo talk to Gertie and she was always happy to see me smiling, teasing and joking with me. I will continue to think of her as I pass by her home.
mildred Uhlman/Leary
sorry for your loss,thinking of you all at this sad time