Obituary of Gainore L. Trudeau

Gainore L. (Luurtsema) Trudeau, 87, beloved wife of the late Joseph E. Trudeau, of Manchester, passed away on Saturday, November 20, 2021, with her family by her side. Born June 27, 1934, in Manchester to the late Peter and Hazel (Gordon) Luurtsema.  

Gai graduated from Manchester High School. She went on to work for the telephone company, and in 1955, married Joseph and became a full-time housewife and mother. After the boys had grown, she worked at the Glastonbury Citizen newspaper and the Salvation Army Thrift Store.  

Throughout her life, she always loved animals of all kinds and was never without at least one dog in the house. She was especially fond of her dogs she adopted from the Connecticut Humane Society.  Gai also enjoyed vegetable gardening, all of her plants in the yard, and also, her indoor plants, many kinds of which filled her home.  

She was a great cook, learning recipes of all nationalities, sewing and knitting were also in her repertoire. Gai made many clothes for her family and herself, as well as reupholstering furniture and vehicle seats. She was a fan of older country music, especially Willie Nelson.  

Gai leaves behind her sons Richard and Randall Trudeau, both of Manchester; her sister Doris Bunce of Manchester; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her sister Mildred Plank and her brothers; Peter, Robert, Richard, and Lt. Col. George Luurtsema.  

Family and friends may call at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 W. Center St., Manchester, CT, on Saturday, November 27^th, 2021, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main Street, Manchester at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at East Cemetery.

We would like to thank the physical therapist and the aides at the Vernon Visiting Nurses. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gai’s memory may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society. For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.