It is with great sadness that the family of Gertrude "Trudy" Rodgers, of Merrimack, NH, announce her unexpected passing on Tuesday March 18, 2025, at the age of 79 years.

Trudy was born in Brooklyn, NY, and shortly after graduating from Midwood High School she married and moved to Ann Arbor, MI, where her then husband pursued his higher education at the University of Michigan.  In Ann Arbor, Trudy found and built a community within the university and athletic departments.  Trudy took great pride and satisfaction mentoring undergraduate students and left her mark on the history of U Of M football.  As a true fan, her dog, Whiskey, was a fixture at all football related events, and eventually was invited to join the U of M football team as an unofficial mascot.  Wearing a custom U of M jersey, handmade by Trudy, Whiskey made her debut at the Michigan-Michigan State game in 1968, celebrated when Michigan beat Ohio State in 1969, and even performed during the half time show at the 1970 Rosebowl game.

Trudy spent the next 30 years raising her two daughters and working for the University of Michigan, where she guided and supported countless doctoral students as they planned, prepared for and defended their dissertations.

In her retirement, Trudy moved to Merrimack, NH, to be close to her sister and found another home within the Saint James United Methodist Church community.  While volunteering with the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR). Trudy knitted hats for soldiers, distributed clothes to those in need, assembled backpacks and school supplies for students, collected donations for Brook's Purses, and so much more.

Trudy had so many interests, she enjoyed bird watching, caring for her plants and painting.  She was an accomplished seamstress and developed a passion for quilting in recent years.  Trudy valued her family and time spent with friends, with whom she played cards every week.

Trudy will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Courtney Rodgers, of Merrimack, NH, and Morgan Rodgers, of Tucson, AZ; her sister and "brother" in law, Carol and Joe Marrone, of Merrimack, NH; her nephew and his wife, The Reverend Doctor Robert and Jodi Marrone, of Peterborough, NH; her niece Deborah and her husband Scot Foster of Loudon, NH; as well as nine great nieces and nephews, with whom she was very close.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday March 29, 2025, at 11:00am at Saint James United Methodist Church (646 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, NH); and a light lunch will follow at the Parker Village Clubhouse in Merrimack, NH.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Saint James United Methodist Church in Trudy's memory.