Anne Gertrude Zuch Gessner, 96, Branford
Anne Gertrude Zuch Gessner, 96, died peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, at Harbour Village, Branford, on Sept. 3. She was the loving wife of almost 60 years to the late Stephen G. Gessner, Jr., who predeceased her in April of 1996. Gert was born in Philadelphia, in the suburb of Germantown, on July 24, 1916, the eldest of three daughters born to the late George Hamilton Zuch and Harriet Evans Zuch. She was known for her zest for life, her sense of the dramatic, her humor, her sharp bridge game, her playfulness, her rousing renditions of “Happy Birthday,” her love of ice cream, and her beauty. She was one of those people who caught the attention of everyone whenever she entered a room. Her work at Yale-New Haven Hospital as a volunteer for 25 years, helping and bringing comfort to the parents of sick children, was enormously appreciated.
Gert lived in New Haven with her family until 1950, at which time they all moved to Stony Creek to a big old house with a view of Long Island Sound from the dining room window. This would be her home for 46 until her husband Steve died. Upon Steve’s death, she moved to Harbour Village, which also had a view of Long Island Sound, but this time from the kitchen window. She lived there for 15 years, and it was from this place that died, being able, as she’d wished, to die in her home.
Gert is survived by her three children, Barbara Gessner Cressman of San Jose, California, Stephen G. Gessner III, also of San Jose, California, and Sally J. Gessner and her partner Kate Collins of Branford; her sister, Harriet Sunny Zuch Rosamond of Dallas, Texas; four nieces, Candy, Jean, Tina, and Georgann; her nephew Chris; and many close friends. In addition, she is survived by her five grandchildren, Jennifer Cressman Alvey, Jeffrey Evan Cressman, Mark Adam Cressman, Stephen G. Gessner IV, and Timothy Hamilton Gessner, as well as five great-grandchildren, Natalie and Julianna Cressman, and Margaret, Hannah, and Laura Gessner. She was predeceased by her sister, Carolyn Zuch Moyer, formerly of North Wales, Pennsylvania, and her nephew Richard.
A memorial celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 11 a.m., at the Church of Christ Congregational Stony Creek, 192 Thimble Islands Road. Memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT, 06405. The Hawley Lincoln Memorial Funeral Service, New Haven, is in charge of arrangements.