Gertrude "Gertie" Gentile

Gertrude “Gertie” Gentile (nee Nickerson), 88, passed away surrounded by her loving family on September 11, 2026.

She is survived by her daughters, Gina (Carmel) Morina and Toni (Martin) Ware; her loving grandchildren, Johnny (Sydney), Ronnie, Giovanna (Dante), Phil, Natale (Keith), Maria Elena (Joe), Gia, Santino, Michael (Julia), and Gina; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Aurielle, Aviana, Mirabella, Massimo, and Adrian. She is also survived by her siblings, Rose Shute and Bill (Karen) Nickerson, along with many nieces and nephews who affectionately knew her as “Aunt Gert.” She is predeceased by her beloved husband, John N.; her son, John Gentile; her siblings, Charlotte, Joan, Dorothy, Eleanor, Shirley, and “side-kick” Joe; as well as her parents, Joe and Lottie Nickerson.

Gertie was born in Paulsboro and raised in Swedesboro where she attended Swedesboro High School. She met her soulmate, John, at Sam’s Steakhouse on Broad Street, embarking on a beautiful 53-year marriage together. Throughout her life, Gertie possessed a deep passion for caring for others. Gertie worked as a cashier at the Paulsboro Acme and a local bank teller in the early 80’s and during that time she returned to school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She built a rewarding career in the Labor and Delivery unit at Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, assisting in the birth of countless newborns—many of whose parents would remind her family years later of the compassionate care she provided.

Gertie retired from the hospital in 1995 to devote her time to her pride and joy: her grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as “Mom-Mom.” She later continued her nursing career with Gloucester County Corrections and then as a classroom aide at Shady Lane Child Development Center.

A lifelong supporter of Paulsboro athletics, Gertie and John were deeply involved with the Paulsboro Oilers Football and Cheerleading programs in the 1970s, frequently hosting celebration parties after championship wins at the “Oilers Lounge” in the basement of their Beacon Avenue home. Her love for local sports spanned generations as she cheered on her children and grandchildren in all of the sports they participated in, especially football and wrestling. In her leisure time, Gertie enjoyed playing board games, crocheting, and painting ceramics.  Above all else, her family was her entire world.

A celebration of Gertie’s life will take place on Wednesday, September 30th at Saint Michaels Mutual Club, 406 Memorial Avenue, Gibbstown, NJ from 4:30pm-8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gertie's memory to the Paulsboro Wrestling Association, 427 Billings Ave, Paulsboro, NJ 08066 or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Arrangements and professional services are entrusted to LANDOLFI FUNERAL HOME of Paulsboro, 300 West Broad Street, Paulsboro, NJ. To share a memory or condolences please visit www.landolfifuneralhome.com