Gertrude H. Lavery - Cunningham

Gertrude "Trudy" Lavery Cunningham April 12, 1941- January 27, 2025
Gertrude "Trudy" Lavery was born in the Bronx to Mary Culligan and Thomas Ross Lavery. She grew up with her two older sisters on University Avenue. Trudy graduated from Aquinas High School and was a parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish in the Bronx.
Trudy married Richard R. Cunningham on February 20th, 1965. Trudy and Richie moved to New City in 1967 where they raised their four children, Maryann, Patricia, Richard, and Robert. Trudy was an active member of the Clarkstown PTA and advocate for all children. Trudy enjoyed watching her children's sports and activities, never missing a game or show. As an active member of St. Augustine's Church, Trudy spent years making beautiful homemade crafts for the annual Christmas boutique. Though Trudy's focus was raising her children, she enjoyed working for longtime family friends at Little Tor Caterers on the weekends as well as working at the Rockland County Board of Health. Trudy also started a trophy and plaque business with her good friend Sue – their plaques still hang in the Clarkstown South High School lobby. Trudy was a talented baker and cake decorator. She was known for her delicious, beautiful creations both gifted and sold. Trudy's hands were always busy: she enjoyed spending time reading, gardening, crafting, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She handmade many of her children's costumes and outfits growing up, and later on spent time making blankets, hats, and baby buntings to donate to local hospitals.
After her children had left the house, Trudy moved up north to start her next adventure - opening Trudy's B&B in Wevertown, NY. In the earlier years, she hosted leaf peepers in the Adirondacks, summer visitors to Lake George, and skiers and snowboarders heading to nearby Gore Mountain. Soon enough she made room for more permanent residents, Cassandra, Aidan, and Amelia. She felt so blessed to spend time with her great-grandchildren and help raise the next generation of skiers and bakers.
Trudy returned to New City in recent years, reconnecting with old friends and enjoying time with her sisters, children, and grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren will cherish the memories of her love and warmth, as well as the skills of baking and crafting she passed down over the years.
Trudy is survived by her children, Maryann (Mike) Ruck, Patricia (Edward) Ranney, Richard (Elizabeth) Cunningham, Robert (Claudine) Cunningham; her grandchildren, Cassandra Arbuco, Thomas Ranney, Jenna Ranney, Briana Cunningham, Ashley Cunningham, Olivia Cunningham, Ryan Cunningham; her great-grandchildren, Aidan Perez and Amelia Perez; and her sisters, Eileen Smith and Maryann (Richard) Haggerty.