Gertrude Thompson, age 101 of Vineland, passed quietly and at rest on Monday, March 14, 2022 at the Maurice House, where she had joined their community in 2019.

She was the eldest of six children, born in Philadelphia on March 25, 1920 to the late William and Katherine (Clark) Nightlinger. Gertrude was Baptized on April 4, 1920 at St. Carthage Church in Philadelphia and received her First Holy Communion on May 26, 1927. She was a resident of Wildwood, NJ before moving to Vineland, NJ with her family and attended Sacred Heart High School. Gertrude married Malcolm Lawther (deceased) on March 3, 1946 and later became the wife of Wynfield Thompson (deceased) on May 5, 1990. On July 1, 1983, she proudly retired from the Vineland Board of Education.

Gertrude was an active member of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, where she and her sister Evelyn were greeters. For many years, she worked as a volunteer with Newcomb Hospital and later at Inspira Hospital of Vineland. Gertrude cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing her beautiful smile, along with her wonderful sense of humor, with everyone. She also enjoyed sewing.
She was predeceased by both her husbands and by her 4 siblings; Evelyn Nightlinger-Tehan, William "Billy: Nightlinger, John "Jack" Nightlinger and Leonard Nightlinger.

Gertrude is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia Lawther Mathews and Bruce Mathews. Her grandson Brandon Mathews and wife Karen and her granddaughter Suzanne Mathews, all of Pittsgrove, NJ. and her great-grandchildren Alaina and Mikayla Mathews. And by her brother Lawrence Nightlinger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 18th at 11:00 am at Christ the Good Shephard, St. Isidore Church, 1655 Magnolia Rd. Vineland. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland. Family and friends may gather on Friday from 10:00-11:00 at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gertrude may be made to Red Oaks Hospice, 154 Sunny Slope Dr. Bridgeton, NJ 08302.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.wbfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are in the care of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.