Gertrude A. DUNN

Gertrude A. Dunn (Gertie) Age 70 of Chadds Ford, PA died Wednesday, September 29, 2004, in Avondale. She was born in Philadelphia to Victor C. and Gertrude Cahill Dunn and was reared and educated in Sharon Hill, graduating from Sharon Hill High School's class of 1952. A graduate of the former West Chester Teachers' College with a degree in physical education, she was a physical education teacher at the Friends School in Wilmington, DE, and a teacher and coach at the West Chester State College. Gertie was also a self-employed entrepreneur for G.A. Dunn Co. of Chadds Ford, a company that retailed sports apparel and equipment. Gertie became a professional baseball player during her junior year of high school, where she was the starting shortstop for the South Bend Blue Soxs from 1951-1954, and during her senior year, she carried a .299 bating average and had a lifetime average of .261. Gertie also had a lifetime fielding percentage .919. She was voted rookie of the year in 1952. She was one of the first 30 women inducted in the Baseball Hall or Fame in Cooperstown, NY in Coopers-town, NY. Gertie was a member of the barnstorming team that traveled the country for the next 2 years. She was also a member of the U.S. Field Hockey team for the next 13 years and its hall of fame. She spent 7 years with the U.S. Lacrosse team. In 1980, Gertie won the Delaware State Amateur Golf Championship, having maintained a 6 handicap for the next 20 years registered with the Philadelphia Golf Association. She also enjoyed playing tennis and cross-country and alpine skiing. She also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Gertie was an avid student of reading, history and art including gardening, world travel and woodworking. She was voted as one of the Athletes of the Century for her involvement in multiple sports by the Sports Writers Association. Survivors include her brothers, Victor C. Dunn of Orbisonia and Charles Dunn of Jackpot, NV; 3 nieces, Valerie Dunn of Oxford, Millie Dunn of Nottingham and Carolyn Dunn of Unionville; and 2 nephews, Victor John Dunn of Nottingham and Wyatt Dunn of Philadelphia. Other survivors include 3 great nieces, Stephanie, Audrey and Natalie Dunn. Her funeral service will be at 1 pm on Monday, October 4, 2004, at the WARD FUNERAL HOME, 1459 Market St, Linwood, PA 19061, where family and friends may call from 10-1. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Gertrude A. Dunn Athletic Scholarship Fund, c/o People Bank of Oxford, National Penn, 24 S. 3rd St., Oxford, PA 19363.