Ingerd H. Nilssen

Gerd Nilssen (also known as Ingerd) died Monday, June 25 at Waterbury Hospital after a short illness with pneumonia. She was born in Trondheim, Norway on October 20, 1921 and emigrated to America with her family at age 8. She was raised and educated in Brooklyn, NY and married Ralph Nilssen in 1946. They were married for 72 years. In 1953, they moved to Ridgewood, NJ and then to Ramsey, NJ where they brought up 3 children: Larry, Janet and Andrew. She was a homemaker, Girl Scout leader, Den Mother, Sunday School teacher and active in the local school system, where she worked for over 15 years as a secretary for the principal of the Smith Middle School in Ramsey. She was an avid knitter, needle pointer and embroider. She created exquisite needlework projects, particularly one of ribbons which took a full year to produce.

She and Ralph retired in Eastham, Cape Cod for 15 years, where she had fun with her grandchildren almost every summer. She had 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren spread across the USA, and a large family in Norway. She loved to travel both in the US and to Europe. She had traveled to about 15 Elderhostels, loved the opera and other classical music – a subscriber to the Met for many years and she loved camping at many National Parks with family.

She was the classic loving grandmother and will be sorely missed by all, including her husband, 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, all of whom gave her much joy and happiness. Ralph and Gerd were residents of Heritage Village for 16 years.

A memorial service will be planned for some future date when her ashes will be interned in the memorial wall at the United Church of Christ – Southbury. If desired, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Charity of your choice.

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