Obituary of Gertrude S. Papagno

     Mrs. Gertrude “Trudy” S. Papagno, 86, of N. Utica, formerly of Deerfield, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at the Wynn Hospital with her loving family by her side.

    Gertrude was born in Utica, on April 27, 1937, the daughter of Harold and Gertrude (Budine) Sterling. She was raised in Utica and was a graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School.  In Utica, in 1958, Trudy was united in marriage with Nicholas M. Papagno, a loving and devoted union of 55 years, until Nicholas’ death in 2014. At one time, Trudy was employed with the NY Telephone Company. First and foremost in Trudy’s life was that of being a mother. She dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren who were the light of her life. She was affectionately known by family and friends alike as “Nana”, a role she took very seriously.   She was a devout Catholic whose life was guided by her strong faith and belief in Jesus Christ as her savior. She was a parishioner of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Our lady of The Rosary Campus in New Hartford and the Christian Women’s Association. Trudy was an excellent cook and also enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables.

    Mrs. Papagno is survived by her two loving daughters and one son-in-law, Julie and Robert Zaykoski of Merrimack, NH and Elizabeth Fary of Pottstown, PA; seven cherished grandchildren, Adam Zaykoski, Peter Zaykoski and wife Joy, Kyle Ostraszewski, Nicole Lombardi and her husband Cody, Matthew Ostraszewski, Anthony Fary, and Emma Fary; four adored great grandchildren, Zachary Zaykoski, Zia Zaykoski, Gianna Ostraszewski, and Addison Ostraszewski; her extended family, Steve and Colleen Pardi, Nick and Lindsay Pardi, Tracy and Joe Chapman and  Hunter and Jackie Rupp and their families, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Harold Sterling and Albert Sterling and two sisters, Agnes Ward and Kathy Nessia.

     Mrs. Papagno’s funeral will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Our Lady of The Rosary Campus, Burrstone Rd., New Hartford. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Nicholas in St. Peter’s Cemetery in N. Utica in the spring. Visitation for family and friends is Tuesday, January 2^nd, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or at stjude.org in Trudy’s memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

     Mrs. Papagno’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at the Wynn Hospital, 7 east, for the wonderful care and compassion you provided to Trudy.