Gertrude “Gerty” B. O’Coin, 97, of West Brookfield, passed away on Friday morning, February 28, 2025, with her family by her side.

Gertrude leaves her son, Paul R. O’Coin and his wife, Kathleen, of Millbury; her daughter, Elaine M. Courtemanche and her husband, Barry, of West Brookfield; her daughter, Jeanine A. Morgan and her companion, Donald, of Little River, SC; her daughter, Joanne F. Frederick and her husband, Lot, of Sturbridge; her son, Francis L. O’Coin and his companion, Chanel, of Brooklyn, CT; her daughter, Amy L. Gilman and her husband, Martin, of Southport, NC; as well as her 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, Roland L. O’Coin; her brother, Francis “Gilbert” Messier; and by her sisters, Dolores Richards and Yvonne Valley. She was born in Cambridge, daughter of the late Francoise X. and Alberta (Bouley) Messier.

Gertrude lived the majority of her life in Spencer, where she and Roland would begin building their lives together. In her 97 years, Gertrude was able to experience and enjoy much of life’s offerings. As a seamstress, she was instrumental in fabricating weighted blankets for children with autism at the Devereux School in Rutland. She enjoyed crocheting, and everyone, at one point or another, received an afghan or some other hand made item from Meme. She was also a “master” wallpaper installer.

Family was everything to Gertrude. She attended every athletic event that she could, and was so proud of all her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Family gatherings were most special to her. Gerty had her favorites for sure, her boys, but she always had enough love to go around for all of her children, grandchildren, friends, and extended family.

Gerty was an especially competitive card player, who loved playing the “Long Game”, which made her children cringe. She loved the time she was able to spend playing cards with her family at Quaboag Rehab in West Brookfield, generally winning as she was the “luckiest” card player.
She will be loved and missed by many.

Calling Hours for Gertrude will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 9:30am to 11:00am in the Varnum Funeral Home, 43 East Main Street in West Brookfield. A Graveside Service will be held immediately following the calling hour, in the Worcester County Memorial Park Cemetery in Paxton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gerty’s memory may be made to the Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center Activities Fund, 47 East Main Street, West Brookfield, MA 01585.