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STAMFORD, Conn. -- Gertrude Mary Birkett, died on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Dubuque, Iowa. The former Stamford resident was 93.
Birkett and her twin sister, Margaret Isabella Spencer were born to Harry and Margaret Isabella Behn, in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England in 1921.
She was educated at the Convent of LaSagesse, and the Sacred Heart Convent in Newcastle Upon Tyne. She then studied physical therapy at Newcastle General Hospital, where she was later asked to accompany the surgeon performing England's first hip replacement to London to create a protocol for rehabilitation.
She was married in 1949 to Joseph Peter Birkett, a doctor, who also worked at Newcastle General Hospital.
In 1950, she had become a leading physiotherapist in England, and wrote and illustrated a book of post-natal exercises published in several languages and reprinted for 40 years.
She was the chief physiotherapist for Newcastle General Hospital. After relocation to Cheshire and the Ealing section of London, the family moved to Cincinnati, where Gertrude re-discovered her skill at tennis and bridge. In 1981, the family relocated to Stamford, where she continued to play bridge and tennis. She also enjoyed playing piano and singing, and shared her love of music with her children.
For the past several years, she has been a resident at the Bethany Home in Dubuque.
Birkett is survived by her six children and their spouses: Margaret, "Marnie" Hayden; William (Jill) Birkett; Peter (Nancy) Birkett; David (Jane) Birkett; Mary Birkett Cinti and Thomas (Tracy) Birkett. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She will be buried next to her late husband, in Westport.
In her memory, the family requests contributions to Alzheimer's Association.
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