Gertrude Schenck Embree

1939 - 2018

Gertrude Schenck Embree

Shreveport - Gertrude Schenck Embree, 78, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was born on September 11, 1939, in Dayton, Ohio, to Robert C. and Jane Mead Schenck.

Gertrude attended The Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, then graduated magna cum laude with a bachelors degree in Philosophy and a minor in Religious Studies from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Gertrude married Dr. Larry J. Embree September 23, 1961, in Dayton, Ohio. They were married for 56 years and had four children. They started their married life in a basement apartment near the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, then moved to Gothenburg, Sweden to continue Larry's medical education. The family returned to Lexington, Massachusetts before moving to Shreveport in 1974.

Gertrude is survived by her loving husband, Larry; two daughters, Gertrude Karris (Patrick) of Sackets Harbor, NY, and Katherine Kalmbach (John) of Shreveport, LA; granddaughter, Frances M. Kalmbach of Shreveport, LA; two sons, Laurence Jonathan Embree and Robert C. S. Embree, both of Dallas, TX; sister, Carol Smith of Phoenixville, PA; sister-in-law, Barbara Schenck of Dayton, OH; and step-sister, Peggy Power of Fort Collins, Co. She was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews and was devoted to her cousins, Jennie, Sally, Nancy, Marita, Henry, Jane, Barbara, John, and Sue.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, Robert C. Schenck and Jane Mead Schenck (McHenry) of Dayton, OH; her step-brother, John Parrott of Littleton, Co; step-sister, Cynthia "Tinta" Parrott of Dayton, OH; and brother, Robert C. Schenck Jr. of Dayton, OH.

Gertrude was an internationally recognized fiber artist. Her quilts, weavings and soft sculptures were shown locally at the Barnwell Center, The Creative Craft Alliance, Artport and the Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College. She was an early coordinator of the Red River Revel for many years. She also had wall hangings selected for national juried shows and international tours.

Later in life she became known for her contemporary quilts, modern interpretations of classic designs, as well as original patterns. She was innovative with her use of computers to create highly detailed and complicated designs (she was a founding member of the Shreveport Macintosh Users Group "SMUG"). She was known for her perfect points and precision seams and ability to blend color using fabric. Gertrude was recognized for her creative talents in national juried quilt shows, including the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky.

Since childhood, Gertrude spent many summers at Beaver Lake in the Adirondacks. She loved her life on the lake with her wonderful and eclectic collection of lifelong friends and the gatherings of her extended family. She loved dinner on the porch, "Tug Hill Toodles", outings in the kayak, working in the garden, photographing the natural beauty of the woods and sharing it all with her children.

Gertrude was an avid student and player of bridge. She enjoyed the friendship and challenges of the game in Shreveport at the "Bridge House" and in the Adirondacks at Carlowden.

Gertrude was also a talented gardener, a world traveler, a generous volunteer for many organizations and the kind of person who could find something nice to say about everyone.

The family would like to thank Nyeshia Evans, Tiffany Washington, and Vernetta Taylor who cared for Gertrude with great love and professionalism, and the staff of The Glen, especially Debbie Miles, LPN and Jennifer Phillips.

A special thank you to long time caregiver Nichole Flemings. We are forever grateful for the devotion and compassion that you showed our mother. You were there from the beginning to the end and as a result you will always be a special friend and sister.

A memorial service will be held at 4pm, Thursday, February 15, 2018 in the chapel at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 3715 Youree Drive. Coffee and conversation will follow.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Constable Hall Association Inc., 5567 Lanpher Street, Lowville, NY 13367-1409 ConstableHall.org

Pax Vobiscum my love