Gertrude A. 'Trudie' Borders Obituary (1931 - 2013)

Gertrude Trudie A. Borders, 82, of Nashua, NH, and former longtime resident of Billerica, MA, died peacefully on December 21, 2013, after a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond Borders, to whom she was married for 29 years prior to his death in 1982. Trudie was born on June 20, 1931 in Waltham, MA, the daughter of the late Richard and Gertrude (OBrien) Ohnemus. She was a U.S. Navy Veteran, having served in Virginia at the close of the Korean War. She was one of many service women featured in the March 1952 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. Trudie was employed as an Executive Secretary for Raytheon Corp. in Bedford for many years and retired in 1984. Trudie joined TOPS as a member and within a short period of time, she held several board positions within the Chapter including Leader. During her years with TOPS, her organizational skills did not go unnoticed and she was elected to State Coordinator for the Western Mass region. As coordinator, she started two new chapters in Billerica and coordinated many TOPS events for the region. With the help and support of friends and family, she was crowned TOPS Massachusetts State Queen in 1984. In 1990, Trudie moved to Nashua, NH and started another chapter, TOPS #NH131 in Nashua. She has achieved many awards over the years including an award for the State Recognition Day theme, The Imperial House of TOPS, and another for being the first chapter to have every member to end their first year with a weight loss. Trudie had an innate wisdom of people, a quick wit, and a compassionate heart. She enjoyed knitting, crafts, cooking, and was a professional organizer. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends, and her beloved dog, Brewster. She is survived by her children; Cheryl Carpenter of Nashua, NH; and Marion and her husband, Bruce Hamblett of Chelmsford, MA; and two grandchildren; Timothy Borders and Brande Carpenter-Kupfer; and three great grandchildren, Lindsey, Nicole, and Victoria Kupfer. She is further survived by her sister; Mary Jane Butcher. She was preceded in death by her son, Jerry Borders of Connecticut; her sister Kathryn Bythewood of Billerica, MA; and her two brothers, Richard and Robert Ohnemus of Florida. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2013 from 9 am to 11:30 am at the BLAKE FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford, MA followed by a Prayer Service at the Chapel at St. Josephs Cemetery, 96 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to TOPS Club Inc., PO Box 070360, Milwaukee WI 53207-0360. or Best Friends Animal Society, Attention: Memorial Gift Program, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT 84741-5000. Funeral Director, Paul A. Hardy, Jr. For online condolences, please visit WWW.BLAKEFUNERALHOME.COM Visitation December 28, 2013 9:00am - 11:30am, Blake Funeral Home 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Service Information December 28, 2013, Saint Joseph Cemetery 96 Riverneck Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 Service at St. Joseph Cemetery Chapel will follow visitation. Interment Location Saint Joseph Cemetery 96 Riverneck Road Chelmsford, MA 01824