Gertrude Gert Agnew Tobin

Gertrude Agnew Tobin, "Gert, Mom, Granny, Aunt Gert", Longtime Arcadia resident, passed away at the age of 95 in Monrovia. She was born in Duluth, Minnesota, the sixth child (of eleven) born to Ethel (McGarry) & Henry Agnew. Her birth occurred during the great Minnesota forest fire of 1918. Because of the imminent danger of the fire, her parents sought the safety of a hospital for Gert’s birth. As such, she was the only child in her family born in a hospital. Being in the timber industry, her father suffered great losses in the fire. This prompted the family, with baby Gert, to move out west to Cottonwood, Idaho where she grew up. Gert was the high school class valedictorian when she graduated from St. Gertrude’s Academy in Cottonwood then went onto Marylhurst College graduating in 1940 with a teaching certificate. During the summer, Gert worked in Yellowstone Park and met her true love, Bob, who was also working there. They married in 1943 and were blessed with 66 years of marriage before Bob died in 2009. During the early years of their marriage, Gert & Bob lived in Spokane, WA and started their family of six children. In 1955, Bob’s work transferred him to Los Angeles. The family settled in Arcadia where they lived in the same home for 55 years until soon after Bob’s death. After an injury, Gert moved to The Gables Assisted Living in Monrovia receiving tender, loving care until her death.

Known for her loving, gentle, and gracious manner, Gert was a living example of how to treat people kindly and make the world a better place a little bit at a time. Her wonderful cooking & entertaining were renowned; she often brought freshly baked cinnamon rolls or homemade bread to neighbors & friends. Gert always made Thanksgiving at the Tobin’s a special event and made sure everyone had their own seat at the table even when there were 45 people! She was an avid seamstress & remarkable homemaker. Throughout the years, she loved a good game of bridge and played into her 90’s. Costume parties were some of her favorites and she had a well-stocked & well-used costume cupboard. Remembering Gert’s many little sayings (such as “Home again, home again, riggity jig” or “Get a good night’s sleep, you’ll feel better in the morning”) will forever bring a smile to her children & grandchildren.

Gert was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, as well as all 10 of her siblings and parents. She is survived by her children Kathy, Pat (Jim Stevens), Margaret (Jon Fullinwider), Jim (Ava), Mary (Bill Kelly), and Eileen (David Burke); grandchildren Andy Stevens (Adrie), Gavin Stevens (MacKenzie), Trisha Fullinwider, Erin Fullinwider Alex (Chris), Cara Tobin, Ryan Tobin (Kelsey), Brennan Burke, and Helen Burke; great grandchildren Raven Tobin, Emmet Alex, and Eleanor Stevens; six sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to all of the staff at the Gables, Vitas Hospice, and Mom’s dear friend, Laurie Bullara.

Rosary will be on Thursday, 8/28/14 at 7 p.m. at Live Oak Mortuary Chapel, Monrovia, funeral mass on Friday, 8/29/14 at 10 a.m. at Holy Angels Church in Arcadia.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your local Catholic Charities or Marylhurst University in Oregon.

Arrangements under the direction of Turner & Stevens Live Oak Mortuary, Monrovia, CA.