Gertrude Unsderfer (King) Jones

Gertrude (Gertie) Jones, 82, of Lee, went home to be with the Lord on May 2, 2022 at the home of her daughter in Richmond, Mass. with family by her side. She was born January 5, 1940 to Clarence L. King and Mildred (Van Deusen) King Smith in Lee, Mass.

To know Gertie was to love her.  She lived every day to the fullest with a grateful heart, thankful to God for His many blessings; always persevering, never losing hope.  No matter what the circumstances were, she always said, "God is in control." She had the heart of a servant, considering the needs of others before her own, quietly giving without recognition.

Gert made friends no matter where she went, never a bad word to say about anyone, ever the encourager.  Her most recent years living at Crossway Village in Lee, she was a friend to everyone there.  Her door was always open to welcome anyone in who wanted to visit and have a cup of coffee.  She enjoyed decorating the 1st floor at Christmas and throwing a Christmas Gathering just outside her door for everyone to enjoy.  

Spring was her favorite time of the year and she could be found raking and planting flowers, always keeping the bird feeders full, not only for the birds, but the chipmunks as well. She considered herself to be very blessed to be able to spend spring and summer at her Shangri La on the family property in East Otis where family and friends gathered many a weekend for food, fun and campfires. Gert enjoyed being a homemaker and loved to keep her hands busy crocheting and sewing. She will be remembered for the many afghans she crocheted and gave away, as well as the hundreds of hats she crocheted for children in Mexico. 

Gert's faith in God and commitment to her family were the driving force in her life. She raised her 7 children (5 boys, 2 girls) with a constant, unwavering love that never changed, even in the face of many adversities. She was a special woman, her children and grandchildren were blessed to have her in their lives. Gert's favorite expression was, "I'm Okey-Dokey."

Gert was preceded in death by her 1st husband Reinhold Unsderfer, November, 1999 and her oldest son Daniel Unsderfer, March, 2013.  Surviving children: Wendy Rinaldi (Tony) Richmond, MA, Ray Unsderfer, Naples, FL, Terry Gallick (Gerry), Pittsfield, MA, Glen Unsderfer, E. Otis, MA, Andrew Unsderfer, E. Otis, MA, James Unsderfer, Springfield, MA.  She leaves behind 21 beloved grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren; Surviving siblings: Douglas King (Brenda), Becket, MA, Sandra Houle, Housatonic, MA, Rose Stanley (Gregg), Plainville, CT, and Thomas Smith (Dorothy), Wolcott, CT.                                                      

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 11:00am, Hope Church, 259 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA. Burial will be private at Fairmount Cemetery in Lee, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mexican Medical Missions in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238.