Gertrude "Trudy" Thomas

Gertrude “Trudy” Marie Thomas (nee Jerawski), 88, of Chicago passed away January 24, 2017 in Inverness. She was born in Chicago on March 10, 1928 to Edmund and Marie (nee Bonk) Jerawski and grew up in Cicero.

At age 12, Trudy wrote a winning essay and was awarded a trip to Washington DC, one of her proudest achievements. Trudy graduated from Holy Family Academy and went on to work at Sears, Roebuck and Company headquarters. During her lifetime, she held jobs at Colonial Bank and the Chicago Public Library.

Trudy met Raymond G. Thomas at a wedding and they were married in 1948 in Cicero at St. Valentine Church. They raised four children on the northwest side of Chicago and attended St. Ferdinand Parish.

Trudy had many hobbies. She loved reading, genealogy, and walking fast. She seriously disliked cooking, but very much enjoyed being a grandma.

She is survived by her children, Gerard (Marie) Thomas of Cary, IL, Patrice Thomas (Ira Rheingold) of Potomac, MD, and Timothy Thomas (Mark Pearson) of Palm Springs, CA; grandchildren, Matthew (Leanne) Thomas, Katie (Kris) Deutmeyer, Justin and Evan Rheingold; great-grandchildren, Annie, Simon, and Elliot Thomas, and Greta and Tillie Deutmeyer; her sister Eleanor Antkowiak; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Trudy was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond and her daughter, Geralyn.

Visitation will be Friday, January 27th, from 4 PM until 8 PM at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 Ela St. (not Ela Rd.), Barrington. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, January 28th, from 9:30 until the time of mass at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles.

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