Gertrude “Trudi” Burtless Widrick

Gertrude “Trudi” Burtless Widrick, 86, wife of the Rev. Dr. Eugene (Woody) R. Widrick, died May 18, 2013. As a young woman she attended the Universalist Church in Cortland, NY, then served by Jim and Jane Hunt. Jane introduced Trudi to Woody, a young catalog librarian from Cortland State University, while Jim urged Woody to join the ministry. When the couple married, Woody began studies at Crane Theological School at Tufts. Trudi worked at Beacon Press and later in Tufts Accounting Department. The couple served four congregations and then settled in Carlisle, MA, where she worked for 16 years as payroll supervisor and managed the bosses’ mail at Assurance Technology, a high tech company in town. The Widricks served First Religious Society of Carlisle (MA) for 24 years. Trudi was a good listener, a caring presence and a lay minister as needed.

Despite her long hours, Trudi took pride in perfecting her lemon meringue pie recipe. She enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, and dining monthly with the Beautiful Ladies Lunch Bunch. She loved Agatha Christie mysteries, liked to knit and do crosswords. A skilled origami practitioner, she loved cats and was devoted to her dachshund, Hexenhammer. She also liked to collect autumn leaves. Her family says she detested chickens because of having to collect eggs as a child on a farm.

She was predeceased her foster daughter, Pam Harrington. She is survived by her son, Nathan; daughter-in-law Allison; and daughter, Nancie Salguero; by four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Notes may go to Eugene Widrick, 11 Porter St., Billerica, MA 01821.