Gertrud Galicia, 90, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness. Born and raised in Germany, Gertrud loved to travel and was a fearless adventurer. She moved to Switzerland at 18 before coming to the United States in the late 1950’s. She came alone but made quick friends that lasted a lifetime. She met her husband Carlos, soon after arriving in America, while taking English classes in Newton. They were married for nearly 65 years.

During her later years Gertrud was an active member of the Boylston Schul-Verein German Club in Walpole, MA. She was an avid baker and Christmas cookie maker. Each year she would make hundreds of traditional German cookies for family and friends; a tradition she passed down to her daughter and carried on well into her late 80s.

Gertrud, devoted wife and mother, is survived by her husband Carlos, her daughter Michelle, her son-in-law Paul, her two grandchildren Olivia and Max, as well as her brother Erwin, who still resides in Germany in the house where she grew up. She is predeceased by her two older sisters: Anneliese and Johanna with whom she will now reunite.

In accordance with her wishes, Gertrud will be cremated with no formal services. Those who wish to make a donation in her memory may send them to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital As a cancer survivor, she understood the pain and suffering that accompanied such a diagnosis. Through her own donations, she hoped to ease the burden of a cancer diagnosis for children and their families.