Gertrude "Trudy" Elias

ELIAS Gertrude "Trudy" Elias, age 85 of Fairfield, beloved wife of the late Captain Joseph Elias, Fairfield Fire Department, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2009 at the Carolton Hospital. Born in Gouverneur, New York in 1923 the daughter of the late Julie and Roy Lashbrooks, she was the youngest of seven daughters. Trudy moved to Fairfield in 1945 where she met and married her husband Joseph in 1949. She worked for many years at The Medical Center Pharmacy in Fairfield, and upon receiving her LPN degree from Bullard Havens, she continued her career as a nurse at The Park City Hospital in Bridgeport until it finally closed and she reluctantly retired from nursing. Trudy was an active member of First Church Congregational in Fairfield where she was a Deacon Emeritus, Past President of the Women's Fellowship and was also a founding member of the "Store", a thrift shop operating under the auspices of the church. She received many awards and honors from the church for her outstanding work. Trudy also worked tirelessly to clothe the needy children in Stamford. She always looked for discarded articles that "her kids" could use. In her leisure time, she enjoyed sewing, baking and spending time with her family during holidays. In addition to her husband, Joseph and parents she was predeceased by all of her sisters and her sister-in-law Ruth Johnson. She is survived by her son William and her grandchildren Peter, Tracy and Damian; a brother-in-law, Robert Johnson and his children, Lisa Harsche, Loretta Chichisola and Robert Johnson, Jr., she is also survived by a niece Nanette Webb of Texas. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 4 p.m. in the Hobart Chapel at First Church Congregational, Fairfield with the Rev. David Spollett, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be private. The family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Memorial Fund at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. The Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield is in charge of arrangements. To sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com.