Obituary of Gertrude Hamilton

Gertrude E. Hamilton of Burlington, formerly of Somerville, died Saturday evening, April 3, after a brief illness, in the company of her loving family. The wife of the late Paul L. Hamilton who died in 1969, she was 91 years old. Mrs. Hamilton was born in Boston and raised in Somerville. She was the daughter of the late Carl W. Vessey and the late Edith B. (Chase) Vessey-Thorpe. She and her husband both attended Somerville High School during which time she studied both art and the playing of the violin and sang in the church choir. A vibrant and well-loved woman who had many, many friends throughout her life, She worked for the Postal Telegraph and John Hancock until her marriage in 1940. She met her husband at her beloved Highland Congregational Church in Somerville, and they were married in March of 1940. Throughout their married life, Mrs. Hamilton and her husband were busy raising their five girls but were also very active at the College Avenue Methodist Church in Somerville. In the early 60’s she proudly opened her studio, Hamilton Ceramics in the basement of the family home in Somerville, and was, incredibly, still teaching large classes up until her retirement 40 years later at the age of 83. Many of her students or “girls” as she lovingly called them came from far distances and stayed on for many years for their girls’ night out at ceramic class. At the young age of 51 she lost her husband but was able to pick up the pieces and move on and raise one teenage daughter still living at home. After retiring she moved to Burlington and the United Church of Christ Congregational Church welcomed her as a member, and she enjoyed the religious services and the kindness of the friends she made there as well as at Burlington’s Senior Housing complex and Burlington’s Cooperative Elder Services or as she fondly called it, “B Street.” Matriarch of a large and active family, Mrs. Hamilton enjoyed being around her family, the majority having remained nearby in Massachusetts. She especially enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, whom she adored. Mrs. Hamilton loved art and in the past received lessons in oil painting at the Museum of Fine Arts and also attended many pottery classes. She had a passion for classical music and owned an extensive collection of symphonic music. She would ride the bus into Boston for many years to attend the afternoon rehearsals of the Symphony Orchestra. She enjoyed attending Harvard Memorial Church to listen to the sounds of the Harvard University Choir as well as the Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra and the Harvard Dudley House Orchestra. Mrs. Hamilton is the beloved wife of the late late Paul L Hamilton. She was the loving mother of Beverly Lembo & her husband Nick of Saco, ME, Paula “Dodie” Myra & her husband Fred of Tewksbury, Miriam “Mimi” Fox & her signficant other Bruce Sokolik of Tewksbury, Thelma Houlihan & her husband John of Lowell & Elizabeth “Betty” McDonough & her husband Jim of Burlington. Sister-in-law of Elaine Hamilton of CA. Also survived by 18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and many loving cousins and their children, as well as her two beloved cat companions, Buddy and Friskie, both 17, who will never quite figure out where she has gone. A Funeral Service celebrating her life will be held at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 6 Lexington St., Burlington on Thursday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be private. Memorials in Gertrude’s name may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Advancement Dept. 10 Chandler St., Boston, MA 02116.