Gertrude Maria Parnanen

SOUTH ROYALSTON- Gertrude “Gert” “Trudy” Maria (Kirkman) Parnanen, 90, of South Royalston, died Tuesday, February 27, at the Highlands, after an illness. Trudy was born November 15, 1927, on a farm in South Royalston, daughter of the Finnish immigrants John and Lydia (Jarvenpaa) Kirkman. She attended S. Royalston Elementary School and Templeton High School. Following her marriage, she lived in Westminster for 11 years in the home she and her husband built before moving to Manchester, NH, where they lived for six years. They moved back to South Royalston in 1966. In 1960, Trudy and her husband built a cottage on Ledge Pond in Sunapee, NH and enjoyed many happy hours there for 25 years. She was an active member of the Second Congregational Church of South Royalston, serving in the past as deaconess, trustee, treasurer, and flower committee. She enjoyed the outdoors and gardening. Trudy was an excellent cook. Her husband of 50 years, William Parnanen, died in 1998. She was also predeceased by her son, David Parnanen in 1988, four brothers, Waino, Veikko, Wayne, and Ralph Kirkman, and her sister, Lillie Dobson. She leaves her daughter, Lillie K. LeBlanc and her husband, Michael of South Acworth, NH; her son, Ralph Parnanen of Orange; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; her daughter in law, Lisa Parnanen; several nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. The memorial service will be held Saturday, March 3, at 1:00 P.M. in the Second Congregational Church, 3 School St., S. Royalston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Second Congregational Church, Attn: Treasurer, 3 School St., S. Royalston, MA 01368.