Obituary of Gertrude Corcoran Merchant

Gertrude Corcoran Merchant

1933 – 2022

Gertrude (“Trudy”) Corcoran Merchant of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on February 27^th, 2022. Trudy was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 23, 1933, to William Eustis-Corcoran and Gertrude Stadelman Corcoran. 

She is survived by her son Michael William Eustis-Corcoran (Deborah); her grandchildren, Michael (Dana) Corcoran, Jr., Erin (James) Stevens, and Michelle (Jake) Etchart, as well as her great-grandchildren, Ethan and Owen Corcoran; Jacqueline (“Jesse”) Shaffer and Jack and Luci Stevens; and Jacob, Mariah, Lylah, Jordan, and Kaylee Etchart.  

She is also survived by her son Timothy George Eustis-Corcoran and was grandmother to Christopher Corcoran and great-grandmother to Tokyn and Lyric Corcoran.

Trudy initially resided with her parents at Grey Lodge in Akron, Ohio, before moving to Nogales, Arizona, at a very young age where she learned to speak fluent Spanish. At the age of 13, Trudy entered and later graduated in 1950 from Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

 

She later enrolled in and graduated from the University of Arizona, Class of 1967, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, becoming a licensed Registered Nurse. She then continued her nursing education at New York University in New York City before returning to Tucson.

Trudy was a woman of many talents, including artistry, Christmas tree and hay farming, and at one time was a volunteer with her local fire department. Most notably, though, she was a gifted artist whose works included beading (published), sewing, crochet, needlepoint, and metalworks. She was a member of the Prodigy Bead Orphans group and enjoyed many friendships within the group.

Trudy truly enjoyed her final years living in the middle of the desert she loved surrounded by her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends.

Trudy will be missed, but her spirit will live on in those who loved her. The family plans to have a private celebration of life for her at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Trudy’s name to the animal rescue organization of your choice or plant a tree in her name by visiting https://thetreesremember.com/memorial-trees/.