Gertrude Mary Fabiszak (nee Gmurek), a woman of profound faith, unwavering strength, and boundless love for her family, passed away peacefully after recently celebrating a momentous 100th birthday. Born on February 20, 1926, Gertrude—known affectionately throughout her life as Gerty, Trudy, Mom, and Nana—leaves behind a century-long legacy of simple joys and selfless generosity.

Growing up in the Butcher's Hill neighborhood of Baltimore, Trudy often shared stories of her humble upbringing in a home without indoor plumbing, experiences that shaped the resilient and structured woman she would become. Following World War II, she married her beloved husband, Francis John Fabiszak, and the couple moved to Loch Raven Village to raise their two children. Trudy was a mainstay in her community; neighbors knew her as "Aunt Trudy," the kind soul who was always generous with her time.

Trudy's life was defined by her close-knit relationships. In 1957, she and Frank bought a home right next door to her dear sister, Bernadine "Dollie" Wolf and her husband Charlie. For nearly sixty years, the two sisters shared morning coffee and an unbreakable bond, until Dollie moved to Oakcrest Senior Living in 2017. A woman of great spiritual depth, Trudy prayed daily and was a devoted parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

In her professional life, Trudy served as a dental hygienist before dedicating herself to raising her children. Later, she became a "star salesperson" at a local dress shop, retiring only when the business eventually closed its doors. While she was a woman of habit—keeping a home where the rugs were perfectly vacuumed and the ironing was never left undone—she also possessed a surprising, strong-willed independence. This was perhaps best displayed when, at the age of 65, she decided to get behind the wheel and learned to drive for the very first time.

While she rarely traveled, Trudy's world was full because of the people in it. She was the only person her daughter and son-in-law entrusted to care for their baby, a role she cherished deeply. Though she loved her children Robert and Debra fiercely, her "true heart" belonged to her grandson, Thomas, who was born in 1995 and gave her the title she wore most proudly: Nana.

Trudy was predeceased by her husband, Francis John Fabiszak, in 1979. She is survived by her son, Robert; her daughter, Debra Nielsen and son-in-law David, with whom she lived for the last 4 years of her life; her grandson, Thomas Nielsen, his wife Luiza and their puppy, Feste. She also remains in the hearts of her sister, Dollie Wolf, nieces Susan and Kathy, and a large circle of extended nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

Her family will forever remember her blowing out 101 candles on her 100th birthday—a final, bright spark in a life that illuminated the lives of everyone who knew her.

Friends and family are welcome to the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home (Beltway exit 26) on Monday April 13 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. A funeral service to take place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Tuesday April 14 at 9 AM with burial to follow at Moreland Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kline Hospice of Frederick. https://frederickhealthhospice-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1275480