Gertrude Merkle

Gertrude M. H. Merkle, PhD, died peacefully on June 11, 2025, surrounded by family, shortly after her 96th birthday. She joins her beloved Bill (d. 2020), together 67 years. Gertrude, Trudy, Grandma, Grandmi, was an exceptional woman: courageous, intellectual, steadfast in her convictions, and loving. She excelled at whatever she took on, raising six children, leading civic groups and completing a doctorate. Trudy will be remembered for her radiant smile, her endless curiosity and "next-level" cooking. Gertrude's deep Catholic faith provided a set of values and practices she lived by, guiding her choices of right and wrong. Born April 24, 1929, in Geneva, Switzerland, Gertrude was the middle of three girls, raised during World War II. Despite the hardships, Gertrude excelled at school and enrolled in the University of Geneva. She fed her thirst for knowledge, language and art: speaking French and Swiss German at home, studying Latin and Italian, nannying in post-war England, and working for an art book publisher in her teens. After university, Trudy won a scholarship for a Masters in English at Radcliffe/Harvard. After a year in the US, she moved to Paris as the international news editor at Le Monde. In Paris she met William Merkle, working in France for the US Army. Bill and Trudy were married in Paris in 1954 and had 3 boys in 3 years. In 1958, the family moved to the US for Bill to complete his MBA at Dartmouth/Tuck. Gertrude provided for the family, tutoring students in foreign languages and selling sandwiches she carried dorm-to-dorm. After graduation, Bill's new job required week-long trips, leaving Gertude a solo parent, with 3 young boys trying to assimilate into American life. In 1962, the family moved to CT, selecting Greenwich for the beauty of Tod's Point, and 3 girls were born in 3 years. By 1967, the family of 8 were weekly attendees at the local Catholic Church. Gertrude loved overseeing homework, teaching her kids, and cooking. She served many friends their first cheese fondue, béchamel sauce, or real chocolate mousse. In the late 1970s, Gertrude decided to pursue her dream of completing a PhD in Comparative Literature. She took some classes at Yale to be home with the girls and finalized her courses at Harvard. In 1986, she defended her thesis on St. Joan of Arc, knowing she might never use her degree but was "just happy to have it." Gertrude shared her love of languages, teaching for several years at Greenwich Country Day School, and AP French at Greenwich High School. Well into her 70s and 80s, she ran a program teaching children French in her home. In the 1970s, she was President of the local AAUW chapter, and in the 2000's was the President of the NY/CT Swiss-American Club, running fundraisers, organizing meals and growing membership. Gertrude was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill (90), her sister Marguerite Piletta (96) and her parents. She is survived by her her younger sister Helene (92) and all 6 children: Peter (Sharon, Deerfield Beach, FL), Patrick (Washington, D.C.), William (Melissa, Elizabeth, IL), Lee (Kathy, Palo Alto, CA), Mary (Ian, Madison, CT) and Annie (Susan, Guilford, CT). As Grandma/Grandmi she leaves 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, Gertrude would appreciate gifts in her memory to At Home in Greenwich, St.Clement's Church in Stamford, CT, or a museum of your choice.