Gertrude Antonia Benoit

Gertrude A. Benoit, was born on December 10, 1919 to Maxime and Edwardina Jubinville, in Irasberg, Vermont. She grew up on a dairy farm with 13 brothers and sisters, she the second from the youngest. Her fondest memory of her youth was playing in the barn with her cats, and watching whenever her Dad started a building project.   As a young adult she spent part of a year as the female singer for the Kentucky Ramblers. This CW band traveled throughout Vermont and upstate New York, and she even cut a record. She moved to Leominster, MA to help her brother and his family and took a job at Clewitts & Peadody sewing factory making Arrow shirts. While in Leominster she met Raymond Benoit, They got married in 1942 and he was off to war 30 days later. Back to the farm she went, and that?s where they had two daughters, Celine, then Paulette. After the war they settled in Greenfield, Ma. Shortly thereafter came the move to Manchester, NH. Michelle arrived in ?54, and in 1958 the family moved to Phoenix.   While in Phoenix she and Ray were involved in building 3 Catholic Parishes. In 1983 they moved to Prescott. While here Gertrude was an active member of the Senior Fun Bunch, Hiking Club, and New Life Choir. She was constantly sewing clothes for the needy and babies at Birth Line. Her many hobbies included: sewing, quilting, piano, guitar, painting, pottery, mosaic, knitting/crocheting, numerous building projects, and most of all family. Gert was a great 4-H Mom, and cheerleader at horseshows and dog shows. She lived life with a good sense of humor and great devotion to her Faith.   She leaves behind: sister Annette Girouard of  Orleans, VT, daughters; Celine Benoit, of Midwest City, OK, Paulette and Bob Christian of Sun City, AZ, and Michelle and Art Anderson, of Scottsdale, AZ.   A Rosary will be at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2008 at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carleton with visitation two hours prior.   A Celebration of Gertrude?s Life Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 7th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fluery, Prescott with final farewell and commendation at 10:00, Tuesday, July 8th at St. Francis Cemetery 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, , AZ