Gertrude ‘Trudy’ Barnard, 90

Gertrude “Trudy” Henrietta Barnard, a long-time resident of Bridgehampton, died on June 6, at the age of 90.

She was born on August 8, 1928 in McKenny, VA, to James and Ava Mason. On Christmas Day in 1948, she was married to Sisco Edward Sylvester Barnard Sr. The couple had six children.

She was baptized at a very early age and as a child became a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton, where she sang in the church choir.

Barnard loved her family and opened her home to those in need and for many family cookouts. She loved to cook and made sure to prepare enough for whoever came through the door. Her family said she believed in helping people and was loved by many.

She attended the Bridgehampton Elementary School and High School. She worked as a teacher’s aide at the school and later as an outreach aide for Migrant Health at the Riverhead County Center.

Barnard was predeceased by her husband and two sons, James Anthony Barnard and Gary Keith Barnard, her brother, George Mason, and sisters Helen Johnson and Winifred Johnson.

She leaves to cherish her memory four children, Sisco E.S. Barnard Jr. of Riverhead; Betty “Tara” Williams of Blackwood, NJ; Helen Darlene Barnard of Chesapeake, VA; Valerie Letcher of East Hampton; 15 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

She also is survived by a sister, Alice Jacobs, of Queens; her sister-in-law Dorothy Mason (George) of the Bronx; her niece, Deborah Woods, of Southampton; her close friend, Linda Corbett, of East Hampton; and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was held June 14 at the First Baptist Church of Southampton. The Reverend Henry Faison Jr. officiated. Burial followed at Calverton National Cemetery.