Obituary of Gertrude Birch

Gertrude Lucille Birch was born on May 18, 1923 in Pittsburgh, PA to Walter and Fannie (Black) Heck. Gertrude passed from this life on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the age of 89. As a young girl her family moved to Tulsa, OK, where she attended school and was in the first graduating class of Will Rogers High School. She eventually met the love of her life, Tad Birch and worked for the Redcross Motor Corp after Tad joined the U.S. Coast Guard. She and Tad were married in the University Methodist Church on June 8, 1946 and were married for 51 years when Tad passed away on January 13, 1999. After her children were grown, she volunteered as a St. Francis Hospital "Pink Lady". Her family was always the most important thing in her life and that never changed. Gertrude was a beautiful lady, inside and out. She had the right combination of being a lady and being just a bit sassy. She was charming and kind to everyone and loved people. She had a wonderful sense of humor. After Tad passed away she showed courage and grace which made it easier for her family to bear. The relationships with her daughters created another dimension, that of best friend. They invented what they called "Girly Girl Trips". Together they traveled around the country and created memories that are priceless. They laughed till they cried and took home memories that will last a lifetime. Gertrude was a strong woman. The only time she had ever been in the hospital in her 89 years was to have three babies. Three weeks ago she walked into the hospital to meet and hold her 16th great grandchild, Baylor. When she looked in his eyes she reflected that she could see Tad, Larry and Seth there. Gertrude is survived by her three children, Larry and his wife, Sharon Birch; Diane and her husband, Robert Williams and Jane and her husband, Danny Jones; 4 grandchildren, Sarah, Seth, Robbie and Ashley and 16 great grandchildren. Donations may be made in Gertrude's memory to St. Francis Hospice, 6600 S. Yale, Suite 350, Tulsa, OK 74136