Gertrude (Fickus) Smith
May 12, 1932 - December 2, 2021
Gertrude (Fickus) Smith, age 89, of Newark, DE, died peacefully at home on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
Born in Street, MD, on May 12, 1932 on the family farm, she was the second child of the late Joseph P. and Hulda (Hipkins) Fickus. After graduating Valedictorian of her class at Dublin High School in 1949, she attended Townson College. In March of 1950, she met John K. Smith. They married in October of 1950, sharing a strong partnership lasting 71 years.
To say that Gertrude was a homemaker does not do her justice. She was more like the CEO of her family: handling finances, managing the home, and raising their three children. After the children were grown, Gertrude volunteered for her church’s outreach program to feed the community. When the grandchildren arrived, she enjoyed an active role in their lives.
In addition to her parents, Gertrude was preceded in death by her siblings, Mina Anderson and Joseph P Fickus, Jr. and son-in-law, Ernest Gene Ferrero. She is survived by her husband, John K. “Jack” Smith; sister, Lana Gorrera; children, John K. Smith, Jr. (Kimberley), Mary K. “Katy” Ferrero; and Jo Ann Gardner (Alan); grandchildren, Michael Ferrero (Lindsey), Rick Ferrero, Anna Smith (Cesar Cordova), Louisa Smith, Nicholas Gardner, and Lexie Gardner; and great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Delaney, and Brayden Ferrero, and Ines Cordova-Smith.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gertrude’s memory to the St. Nicholas Episcopal Church Food Pantry, 10 Old Newark Road, Newark, DE, 19713.
Tamy
Aunt Gertrude, I will miss you. I will remember all of the visits n talks.
To Mary Kay, JoAnn n Uncle Jack,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Wish I could be with you.
Yve Checketts
Condolences to Jo Ann and Alan and family. Now your Mum can rest in peace. Thinking of you at this sad time xx
Jeannine Ignatz
I am glad to have met your parents when I lived in the area. I can see where your strength comes from, Joann. Stay well and we will speak soon.
Jeannine
Kim Wagner
I feel blessed to have met Gertrude, in recent years. She was beautiful and sweet. I could see love for her family. May she be forever in your thoughts and memories. My sympathies to the family snd her friends.
Dave Anderson
Condolences to the family.
Ken Briers
My sympathies to Jack and John Jr. and the rest of the Smith family.
Gertrude will always be in my memory.