Longtime Glen Landing Middle School Teacher Gertrude “Trudy” Vernon Dies Suddenly
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Gertrude “Trudy” Vernon (nee Goode), of Laurel Springs. Age 69.
It is with great sadness and difficulty that Trudy Vernon’s family announces the news of her sudden passing on December 27, 2018. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 34 years, Richard Vernon, her son, Douglas Daniel Olsen, his wife Mona, stepson Jason Vernon and his wife Andrea, along with her pride and joy grandchildren Ajay, Sheela, Nicholas, and Rosie. She is also survived by her brother Lynn Goode and his family, sisters Gene Crawford and Susan Salber, and her husband Gary and her brother-in-law Harry Vernon. She loved her nieces and nephews as her own and will be dearly missed by all of them. She was preceded in death by her parents E. Ray Goode and Gladys Smith and her brother Chester Goode.
Trudy spent her life devoted to advocating for and educating children. She graduated from Glassboro State and taught Physical Education, Health and Life Skills at Glen Landing Middle School for over 39 years. Post-retirement, she couldn’t stay away, returning as a substitute teacher, and continuing to make a difference in students’ lives. She coached cheerleading and loved leading her Hearts for Humanities club – teaching students the lifelong value in giving back to their community. She enjoyed life to its fullest – she loved deeply and gave freely. Her circle of friends was wide and she always found time to listen and lend a hand. She lived by the saying “it’s not the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away.”
Trudy was inspirational to so many students, peers and all those lucky enough to be around her. Her passions included painting – both learning and teaching and spending countless hours laughing and playing with her grandchildren. Her smile and laugh were contagious; she was devoted to her family and friends, she loved a great mystery, garage sales and trips to Atlantic City.
Trudy was the rock of her family. Her loss leaves a big hole that only love and time will ever fill. There are countless lifelong friends that are grieving with our family. Our special thanks to these friends who mourn with us. We celebrate her life and know that she walks with God today and evermore.
There will be a viewing from 6 pm to 9 pm Wednesday evening and from 10 am to 11 am Thursday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.
Funeral service 11 am Thursday at the funeral home.
Interment is private at the request of the family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Friends of Camden County Child Advocacy Center http://friendsofcccac.orgor St. Jude Children's Hospital www.stjude.org.