Gertrud Groncke Hong

Gertrud Groncke Hong died on March 3, 2016 at the Iroquois Nursing Home in Syracuse, NY. Born in Gross-Bressen, Germany on March 27, 1929, she married US Air Force photographer William Hong in 1958 and moved to the United States. After her husband developed a debilitating illness, Gertrud spent much of her time arranging for his care. During this period and beyond she worked as a housekeeper, a profession at which she excelled.

While a young schoolgirl in Germany, Gertrud was taught a variety of fancy needlework skills. This instilled in her a love for needlepoint, a craft that became a lifelong hobby. She enjoyed having a green thumb, and while her gardens were small, they usually produced a blaze of color bringing joy to folks on her block from the first tulips of spring until autumn's last anemone. A friend of both cats and dogs, she raised many of them through the years. A dog or cat taken into her caring home was one fortunate animal.

Gertrud was predeceased by her husband William Hong who died July 11, 1997. She is survived by a sister, Gerda Zempel of Bielefeld, Germany, and by several nieces and nephews.

According to her wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral. Mrs. Hong's ashes will be buried next to those of her husband at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Howlett Hill Road, Syracuse, NY.