Gertrude M. Verzella

Gertrude M. Verzella (née Gibbons) died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Surrounded by three generations of her loved ones, Gertrude was just two days shy of her 101st birthday, passing in the Havertown, PA home in which she raised her seven children. As a devout Roman Catholic and parishioner of Annunciation BVM in Havertown, she is now with God in heaven, joining her husband, Joseph and her three sisters Catherine, Marguerite, and Mildred.

Gertrude was born on March 2, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA to Gertrude (Jackson) and Edward Gibbons. Known as a tenacious, resilient woman Gertrude was known to never miss her bowling league every Thursday; she also shared the story of carrying a weighted briefcase as physical therapy after falling and breaking her elbow as a child. Following her graduation at West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Gertrude married Joseph Verzella on April 10, 1950 at Transfiguration Church. They bought their house on Brookline Boulevard in Havertown, PA, and raised their seven children in this loving community that Gertrude called home for over 70 years.

Gertrude shared her many loves with her closest friends and family including port wine, the Game Show Network, combing her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s hair, rocking chair conversations and salty air on the front porch, as well as fresh cut tomatoes from her garden. Having spent a great portion of her childhood in Wildwood, NJ, she and Joseph purchased a home in West Wildwood Borough in 1970. She was recognized in 2025 as a 50 year business owner of the West Wildwood Bedrock Golf Course and an impactful business leader in South New Jersey.

In addition to her parents, Gertrude was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph; her son Edward; and her two grandsons Joseph III and Michael. 

Leaving this world with unyielding love from family and close friends, Gertrude is remembered by a phrase often spoken in her home: “May this house be too small to hold all of my friends and family.” 

She is survived by her daughter Joann Willats (Steve); her daughter-in-law Mary Jo Verzella; and her sons Joseph (Lois), John (Vicki), Louis (Jennifer), James (Lori), and Jeffrey (Sandy). Known as “Nan,” Gertrude also is survived by eighteen grandchildren: Michelle Wetzel (Kip), Bryan Willats (Dineen), Susan McInerney (Tom), and Monica Mancusi-Ungaro (Temy); Jackie Vinci (John); Jessica Stein (Matt) and JJ Verzella; Elizabeth, Sarah, and Luke Verzella; Kathleen, Eddie (Amanda), and Megan Verzella; David (Erin), Nicholas, and Casey Verzella; Kevin and Owen Verzella. And happiest responding to the name of “Trudy Nanny,” Gertrude has blessed this world with twenty great grandchildren including Maisie, Kate, Evan, Patrick, Jackson, Grace, Claire, Drew, Kyle, Trey, Leo, Connor, Gus, Noelle, Marina, Henry, Theo, Hallie, Cecilia, and Daisy.

Gertrude’s quick wit, love, and laughter has touched many and will live in their hearts forever. As a lifelong admirer of Lawrence Welk’s art and music, Gertrude’s family reflects on her life through the rumination of Mr. Welk: “Over and over I marvel at the blessings of my life - each year has grown better than the last.”

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation 9:30-11:00 AM and to her Funeral Mass 11:00 AM Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Annunciation BVM Church, 401 Brookline Blvd, Havertown, PA. Interment SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Lazarus House Ministries, P.O. Box 1792, Wildwood, NJ 08260, https://lazarushouseministries.org/donate/