Gertrude K. (Holleran) Blake

Gertrude “Gertie” K. Blake of Braintree, originally from Clonbur, Ireland, passed peacefully at home on March 14 at the age of 80. Beloved wife of the late Paul V. Blake Sr., and devoted mother of the late Paul V. Blake Jr., she is survived by her children, Kathleen Couite and husband Paul of West Bridgewater, Thomas Blake and wife Maryanne of Norwell, Theresa Graven and husband James of Durango, CO, Erin Connolly and husband Peter of Braintree, and 16 grandchildren who fondly referred to her as “Mimi.”

Gertie was the daughter of the late Martin and Bridie Holleran of Galway, sister Bridget Jeveli, and brothers, William and Patrick Holleran. She is survived by her siblings, Mary and the late Dick Gibbons, John Jo and Mary Holleran, Laura De Monet, and Thomas and Margaret Holleran, sister in law Teresa Holleran, plus dozens of family and friends in Boston and Ireland.

Gertie was raised in Clonbur, Ireland, and immigrated to Boston at age 17. She met Paul at the Boston Public Garden while working as a nanny, and they married in 1964. They raised 5 children on the South Shore and enjoyed traveling to visit family in Ireland each summer. Gertie devoted much of her life to caring for her family. She enjoyed Irish step dancing and music, watching her kids and grandkids play sports, and traveling. She will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Visitation for friends and family, following COVID guidelines, will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 4-8 pm in McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 30 Central St. (off Rt 123, near State Police Barracks), Norwell Center, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 10:30 am in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 856 Washington Street, Braintree, MA. 02184. Interment Blue Hills Cemetery, Braintree. To Register to attend the visitation and Mass please use the RSVP links below. Registration is highly recommended. Masks, social distancing and other COVID guidelines must be followed.  Donations to honor Gertie may be made to Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley St, W. Bridgewater, MA. 02379.

A livestream of the Funeral Mass and burial service for Gertie will be available at: https://vimeo.com/event/800222

St. Francis church has limited capacity. Please register to attend the funeral Mass. 

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