Gertrude Bundschuh Simons
January 24, 1929 ~ November 19, 2021
Gertrude Bundschuh Simons died peacefully on Friday, November 19, 2021, in Leesburg, Virginia, surrounded by her family.
Born on January 24, 1929, to Oscar and Carolina Bundschuh, Gert grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, graduating from St Mary’s High School. While working for Esso (Exxon) Engineering at Bayway Refinery, she met her future husband Joe, and the couple married in 1952. For the next 20 years, Gert devoted herself to raising three children while moving every few years, as Joe’s Exxon assignments took the family from its home base in Westfield, New Jersey around the world to Houston, London, Rome, and Buenos Aires.
After her children left for college, Gert finished her university studies, earning a BA in history at Kean College of New Jersey (now Kean University). She graduated with highest honors and was selected to the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. In Westfield, Gert was an active volunteer: teaching literacy, bringing communion at Overlook Hospital, helping at Children’s Specialized Hospital, and staffing the food pantry at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She also loved playing golf and traveling internationally, having visited over 30 countries.
After the passing of her husband, Gert moved to Ashburn, Virginia and became one of the founding members at Ashby Ponds Senior Living Community. While at Ashby Ponds, she helped start a Eucharistic Minister program and enjoyed many activities there, including the Ashby Ponds Summer Olympics, Bridge, Classic Book Club, and Spanish Class.
The foundations of Gert’s life were devotion to her family and her Catholic faith. She was particularly pleased that she could attend her granddaughter Jenn’s wedding just a month before her death.
Gert is survived by her sister Madeline Bundschuh Heiser; three children (Joe Simons Jr. (Janet), Paul Simons (Vicky), and Mary Beth Ward (Tim)); and six special granddaughters (Laura (Jonathan), Jenn (Caitlin), Mary, Andrea, Camila, and Katie).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, December 10, 2021, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to two of Gert’s favorite charities – Catholic Relief Services and Off The Streets (P.O. Box 591, Bethel, CT 06801).
Born on January 24, 1929, to Oscar and Carolina Bundschuh, Gert grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, graduating from St Mary’s High School. While working for Esso (Exxon) Engineering at Bayway Refinery, she met her future husband Joe, and the couple married in 1952. For the next 20 years, Gert devoted herself to raising three children while moving every few years, as Joe’s Exxon assignments took the family from its home base in Westfield, New Jersey around the world to Houston, London, Rome, and Buenos Aires.
After her children left for college, Gert finished her university studies, earning a BA in history at Kean College of New Jersey (now Kean University). She graduated with highest honors and was selected to the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. In Westfield, Gert was an active volunteer: teaching literacy, bringing communion at Overlook Hospital, helping at Children’s Specialized Hospital, and staffing the food pantry at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She also loved playing golf and traveling internationally, having visited over 30 countries.
After the passing of her husband, Gert moved to Ashburn, Virginia and became one of the founding members at Ashby Ponds Senior Living Community. While at Ashby Ponds, she helped start a Eucharistic Minister program and enjoyed many activities there, including the Ashby Ponds Summer Olympics, Bridge, Classic Book Club, and Spanish Class.
The foundations of Gert’s life were devotion to her family and her Catholic faith. She was particularly pleased that she could attend her granddaughter Jenn’s wedding just a month before her death.
Gert is survived by her sister Madeline Bundschuh Heiser; three children (Joe Simons Jr. (Janet), Paul Simons (Vicky), and Mary Beth Ward (Tim)); and six special granddaughters (Laura (Jonathan), Jenn (Caitlin), Mary, Andrea, Camila, and Katie).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, December 10, 2021, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to two of Gert’s favorite charities – Catholic Relief Services and Off The Streets (P.O. Box 591, Bethel, CT 06801).
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