Gertrude Eulalia Tomlinson (Willis)

January 1, 1924 - January 29, 2020

Gertrude Eulalia Tomlinson was born on January 1, 1924 in Harlem, New York to the late Linette and Joseph Willis. God called her home to rest on January 29, 2020. Gertrude’s early education began at Resurrection Elementary School in New York leading to her graduation from George Washington High School. In addition to her time spent in New York, she and her sisters, Daisy Mae and Joyce Rose spent time in Jamaica with their grandmother, Alberta Panton. She met her husband, the late Alfred Mason Tomlinson, at a USO dance. They married in 1943. They remained in New York where their children, Brenda, Robert (Bobby), Beryl and Alfred, Jr. (Chris) were born. They moved to Passaic, New Jersey where she was very active in her children’s schooling beginning at Holy Trinity Elementary School and continuing throughout their education. Gertrude retired as a seamstress from ILGWU (International Ladies Garment Workers Union) and later worked at Julius Forstmann Public Library. As a lifelong Catholic, her faith was instrumental in her life. Her family attended Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Passaic and she later joined Saint Anastasia Roman Catholic Church in Teaneck while caring for her mother until her death. Gertrude lived with her daughters, Brenda and Beryl, in Vineland, NJ for the last 11 years before transitioning to Columbia, Maryland to live with her son, Robert and his family to address specific health care needs. Gertrude is survived by her children Brenda Stith, Beryl Aikens, Robert Tomlinson, and Alfred Tomlinson, Jr.; two daughters-in-law, Linda Tomlinson and Mille Tomlinson; grandchildren, Sarah Bradley (Andre), Nakia Whitney (William), Kevin Tomlinson, Andrew Tomlinson, Rasheed Stith, James Rey, and Krystle Tomlinson; 12 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.