Bertie Louise Gill

Memorial Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Bertie Louise Gill, 88, of Rhinebeck passed away at Ferncliff Nursing Home on Thursday September 10, 2026. Born November 23, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Adolphus and Bertie Iona (Gross) Erwin.

Bertie was born in Munford Tennessee where she went to school and eventually met her Husband not soon after. she Packed her backs and moved to New Jersey. They wed on her birthday at Saint Josephs church in Bogota NJ. she began work at The NJ Bell telephone co. 2 years into the marriage they had their son Alan. She started work at Coastal Chemical after Alan was school age. Bertie Worked there until they closed their doors after 25 years. She and the Boss locked the doors together, she was the last one to leave. Eventually through some new schooling and hard work she gained employment at Pascack Valley Hospital as a medical billing clerk. she retired from there at 72 and went on to help out in Sacred Heart church and volunteered at the church pantry.

Throughout her life mom did volunteer work, food pantries, at hospitals emptying bed pans and anything else that was needed. She loved to sing and belonged to several church choirs. she was involved in several church plays in her day. she rode motorcycles, Waterskied, was a cub scout leader, walked for charities and volunteered her son for several furniture moving jobs under her supervision. Her Journey to Medjugorje was one of the best trips she ever made. It made her connection to God that much more.

Bertie had a pretty tough life her parents died when she was 5. She and her younger siblings were scattered into several foster homes. she had close friendships with all the other children in the home and was a great help with her foster parents. the chores were hard and she was expected to keep up her grades. She eventually left the foster home after graduating from school and took in her younger sister Liz, who was 2 years younger. they stayed together until Liz graduated from high school.

Known by most of my friends and family as Louise or mom, you would be hard pressed to find a genuinely more kind and loving human being. She was always ready with a warm smile, a kind word, and a big hug. She had a great sense of humor and an incredible work ethic. Mom fed us, drove us, protected us, comforted us and enjoyed us. Making us all feel loved and safe was her superpower. As a young child I learned the songs of Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and especially Patsy Cline which were song to me by my mother. She had the most beautiful voice. No one ever made better fried chicken or pineapple upside down cake. She was the best.

Bertie is survived by her son Alan Gill, her grandson Derek Gill and his wife Kim, and her great grandson Bernie Gill. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, Bertie is predeceased by her siblings: Elizabeth Erwin. Becky Erwin, Charles Erwin, Preston Erwin, and Genieva ErwinI want to thank all of those who spent the time with Bertie to give her the best care at her home and at the memory unit of Ferncliff and finally Hospice, your love and kindness can never be repaid. Special thanks to Julie, you saved us.