Gertrude Mabel Metcalf

Gertrude "Trudy" Metcalf peacefully passed from this life on November 19, 2014 at her home in Solterra Senior Living, Lakeside, Arizona. Trudy was born in Coldwater, Michigan, September 10, 1924 to Mabel and Charles Holt. She was their only child. She attended Branch County Public Schools in Coldwater and graduated from Michigan State College in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She served an internship as a dietitian in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma after graduation. While working as a Registered Dietitian in the women's dorm at Montana State University in Bozeman, Trudy served as a State Dietitian officer in 1952. She was also introduced to Howard Metcalf of Kalispell, Montana, by a mutual friend during this time. Trudy and Howard were married in 1954. Trudy moved with Howard and son, Charles, to the Metcalf family ranch at Thompson Lakes in 1960. A daughter, Muriel, joined them in 1961. They continued to raise cattle and hay there until 2008. Trudy managed the home, helped with haying and gardening, home canned luscious jams, jellies, fruits and vegetables and prepared many wonderful dinners for friends and family at the ranch. Her meals were her "labors of love", thoughtfully planned, artistically prepared and beautifully presented. She also managed the kitchen and prepared menus for the residents of Libby Care Center, Libby, Montana for 13 years. After she and Howard had both retired, they shared a love of travel and visited sites in Alaska, British Columbia, and locales all over the American West as they made many road trips to Arizona. Eventually they moved to Elfrida, Arizona in 2009 and Lakeside in 2011. Trudy is survived by two children; her son, Charles and his wife, Tina Metcalf of Libby, Montana and daughter, Muriel Metcalf of Lakeside, Arizona. Her husband, Howard preceded her in death last year, 2 days after celebrating their 59th anniversary. They will be reunited in Heaven with many other loved ones to celebrate their 60th anniversary on December 21, 2014. Although Trudy was quiet, she enjoyed people, cats and even a few select dogs. We were privileged to have her as our mom. She always honored people by intently listening to what they had to say. In her final 2 and a half years at Solterra she made new friends and could still make people laugh. Her gentle smile and intelligent sense of humor will be missed by many. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and staff at Solterra and Hospice Compassus for their love and devotion to Howard and Trudy in their final years as well as all our extended family on the Mountain. You made this journey possible.