 Gertrude Halstead, 96
Worcester - Gertrude Halstead, 96, died on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at home in Pittsfield, MA where she had lived with her daughter Alice Halstead and daughter-in-law Joan Shanti Cousins for the past 3 years. Her spirit remained optimistic, connecting, curious, and prone to wonder, though she accepted that her body was finally "winding down." Even as she savored her last taste of dark chocolate, her heart….. simply… stopped.
Gertrude was born on July 21, 1916 in the town of Bensheim, Germany, to Zacharias and Berthe Hochschild Bendheim, amidst the chaos of the First World War. Gertrude's formal education was cut short in 1933 when the Nazi Party closed the school that she and her future husband, Walter Halberstadt (later Halstead) attended. While Walter's family escaped Germany before WWII began, Gertrude's family was caught up in the conflict, and most of her closest relatives perished. Gertrude fled from an internment camp in occupied France, finding passage on the steamship SS Excalibur from Lisbon to New York, where, after a 5 year separation, she was reunited with Walter; they wed just 4 days later, on August 29, 1941.
Though war and circumstance deprived her of a degree in social work, it was her calling nonetheless-whether in Cambridge working in a community center, in New Jersey working with the elderly, teaching in preschool settings, volunteering with her local hospice, or in Shrewsbury volunteering again with preschoolers. In every place she lived, in every decade of her life, Gertrude valued connection with her fellow human beings.
Gertrude also delighted in being a mother, always encouraging her three children to explore the natural world. She loved to be outdoors, whether gardening, hiking, beachcombing or flying a kite.
In her 50's, Gertrude began writing poetry, a passion she pursued for the rest of her life. After moving to the Worcester area in the mid 1990's, she became an active member of John Hodgen's poetry workshop, and her work began to appear in literary journals, thanks to the efforts of fellow writer Eve Rifkah. Her first chapbook and first book of poetry were published when she was 90 and 92, and at 91 she became the first Poet Laureate of Worcester.
In New Jersey, when Gertrude first began reading her work in public, she joined an acting class to quell her stage fright. She found creativity and community in local theater, and remained involved even after her move to Shrewsbury, becoming "grandma" to the Stageloft Repertory Theater troupe.
Gertrude is survived by: her daughter, Alice Monica Halstead and wife Joan Shanti Cousins; daughter Celia Halstead and wife Bonnie Walz; nephew Roy Halstead, niece Dorothy Lepoff, cousin Eduardo Heumann, niece Gabriele Kugler, and nephew Ralf Bendheim, and their families.
Gertrude was predeceased by her husband Walter Karl Halstead (2004), her son Thomas Roger Halstead (2001), her sister Alice Bendheim Selberg and family Ludwig, Roger, Monique; and by her brother Reinhard Bendheim.
Continuing her career of mentoring, Gertrude offered her body as an "anatomical gift" to UMass Medical Center in Worcester MA, where she will 'teach' for the next year. Please make any donations in Gertrude's memory to an organization that supports the arts, the environment, the homeless, immigrants or refugees.
In her last years, Gertrude was greatly helped by the warmth and wisdom of many: in Worcester, by the staff of Eisenberg Assisted Living and the JHC Hospice; in Pittsfield, by the staff of HospiceCare in the Berkshires and Home Instead Senior Care; and by her many friends of all ages.
A celebration and remembrance of Gertrude's life will be held on Sunday, November 18th in Worcester, her creative home and community. Bring a memory, a story, a photo, a poem… bring yourself to Assumption College, Hagan Center Hall, 2-5pm. Together let's celebrate her long life, well lived.
Published in Worcester Telegram & Gazette from November 7 to November 8, 2012
![]() |
|
Bookmark this memorial on Facebook with the My Memorials™ application. My Memorials™ helps you honor departed family members, friends, and even favorite celebrities – all on your Facebook page.
|
Thank you. You have now memorialized on Facebook.
 |
The My Memorials Facebook app allows you to:
- Connect with memorials that are important to you.
- Get updates on your memorials in your Facebook News Feed.
- Share your memories with your Facebook friends.
|
|
|
|
You are searching
|
 |
|
|
