Gertrude Burkett

Gertrude C. Burkett, 83, of Churchill, passed away Saturday November 16, 2024, at her apartment in Willows Bend Senior Living in Minneapolis, MN. Gertrude, known as Gaye, was the daughter of Loraine S. Cushner and John E. Cushner. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine D. Curry, and her granddaughters Julia and Lauren Curry. She was predeceased by her beloved son Christopher D. Burkett.

Gaye graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1959. She was an accomplished dancer and, while still in high school, performed in several musical productions at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. She graduated from Allegheny College in 1963 with a B.A. in English and then obtained her Master's degree in Education at the University of Pittsburgh.

Gaye was a dedicated, challenging English teacher at Franklin Regional High School for over two decades, teaching Honors English and Reading, and also, for several years, advising the school's National Honor Society. Before her time at Franklin Regional, she worked with the University of Pittsburgh Tri-State Study Council, providing outreach and support to local school districts. Gaye was also a University of Pittsburgh certified Reading Specialist who brought a high level of insight and expertise to all of her teaching.

It would be impossible to list all of Gaye's talents and strengths here, but she will be remembered as a loving (and fun-loving) mother and grandmother; a compassionate caregiver; a great friend and thoughtful neighbor; a mentor to student teachers; a lover of the theater and dance; passionate gardener (and weeder); a lover of the natural world and of animals; an expert seamstress; an avid reader; and a life-long learner filled with intelligence, insight, and curiosity.

Burial will be private. A celebration of life service is planned for January 2025. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choosing in Gaye's memory. The Allegheny Land Trust (https://alleghenylandtrust.org/ ) and The Children's Tumor Foundation (https://www.ctf.org/ ) were two organizations that were important to Gaye.