Gertrude Kornfein

1928 - 2022

Kornfein, Gertrude "Trudy"
COHOES - Gertrude "Trudy" Kornfein passed away December 25, 2022. She was born on August 10, 1928, in the village of Prineville, N.J. to Samuel and Mary Schwartz. In her youth, she spent her time working at her parents' general store, enjoying the town lake, playing the piano, and studying at the two-room schoolhouse.
Trudy was an avid lifelong learner and teacher. In 1950, she graduated from American University with a B.A. and received a Master's in Education from New York University. She married George Kornfein on April 4, 1954, a Hungarian refugee and Holocaust survivor, whom she met at the 92nd YMHA in Manhattan.
Trudy loved teaching and worked as an English and reading teacher for nearly two decades at August Martin and Martin Van Buren High Schools in Queens, N.Y. Trudy was one of the founders of the New York Chapter of the (NAMI) National Alliance of Mental Illness. She volunteered for NAMI for decades, serving in many capacities and most recently as vice president of the N.Y. State Chapter. She testified in front of the N.Y. State Legislature advocating for insurance parity for the mentally ill, which became law in 2006.
As a Jewish woman, Trudy took pride in her religious background and served on the board of the Queens Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. She remained involved in various synagogues throughout her life and loved celebrating holidays with her family.
She was an avid reader and member of multiple book clubs throughout her retirement years. She loved traveling, painting, writing, and spending time with family. Throughout her seventies and eighties, she shared her lust for travel by taking her children and grandchildren to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and Bermuda.
At 75, she relocated to Niskayuna to be closer to family and wintered at Wynmoor in Coconut Creek, Fla. These were some of her happiness days. Inspired by her grandchildren, Trudy published a book of poetry entitled "Poetic Thoughts" at the age of 86.
Trudy was an exceptionally resilient person and was able to find joy and meaning even under very challenging circumstances. She would always find something tactful and thoughtful to say. She never gossiped or criticized anyone. Trudy stayed open-minded through her old age and always believed in embracing people from all walks of life and learning from them. She taught all who had the privilege of knowing her how to live a full life, embrace new experiences, and age gracefully.
She was predeceased by her parents, Samuel and Mary Schwartz; sister Pearl Schwartz; husband George Kornfein; and daughter Shari Kornfein. Trudy is survived by her son Mark Kornfein (Ellen Jacobsen); daughter Marion DeSantis (Steven DeSantis); and grandchildren, Emily Kornfein, Samuel DeSantis, and Elana DeSantis.
Shiva will be held at Marion and Steven DeSantis' home at 6232 Empire Ave., Guilderland, NY 12306 on Wednesday, December 28, and Thursday, December 29, from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Nami@org