Gertrude Greenleaf

WORCESTER - Gertrude (Dick) Greenleaf, age 96, passed away peacefully at Rose Monahan Hospice Home, surrounded by her family on February 1, 2026. 

Her devoted husband of 70 years, Charles Greenleaf, pre-deceased her in 2019. Gertrude is survived by her loving family: a sister Kathleen Harris of Leicester; two daughters Carol Fay of Arlington, Vermont, Linda Granville and her husband Dennis of Rochdale; four grandchildren, Keith Lainey, (deceased 2026) and his wife Kellie, Brian Granville and his wife Elaine, Kevin Granville and his wife Alyssa, and Aaron Lainey; five great grandchildren Alexandria Lainey, Shay Granville, Benjamin Granville, Maura Granville and Lily Granville. 

Gertrude was predeceased by her siblings, Elizabeth Lily of Golspie, Scotland, Margaret Minty of Georgia, and Benjamin Dick of Eastcote, England.

Gertrude was was born in Cologne, Germany in 1929. Her family fled the country to England to escape the Nazis during World War II, then she survived the London blitz. In 1948, she married her husband Charles, who was a World War II Navy sailor. She immigrated to Worcester, Massachusetts, her husband’s hometown in 1951. In 1953 she lost everything during the tornado that tore through Great Brook Valley in Worcester. Then she moved to Leicester, MA where she lived a wonderful life for 70 years, enjoying her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Gertrude managed the school cafeteria at the Leicester Middle School until she retired at the age of 70. Gertrude loved camping in Maine for many years, cooking for the family on holidays, baking cookies, knitting, crocheting, sewing and other crafts as well as organizing lots of yard sales. She was very active as a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Rochdale.

Calling hours will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Christ Episcopal Church, 1086 Stafford St., Rochdale on a date to be determined in April 2026, followed by a funeral mass at 12 o’clock. In April, check the website for Kelly Cremation and Funeral Home for the specific date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 1086 Stafford St., Rochdale, MA 01542.