Obituary of Gertrude "Queen" Millette

Gertrude Pierre-Millette affectionately known as Queen or Auntie Queen was born on November 15, 1948 in Babylon, Grenada to the late Fitzroy Woodroffe and Evelyn Pierre.  Immediately following Gertrude’s birth, her mother Evelyn departed this world and Gertrude was nurtured and cared for by Leah Isaac.  Gertrude departed this life suddenly on September 6, 2018.  Gertrude accepted Christ at a young age and was later baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown, NJ.  After moving to Dover, NJ, she attended services at Word of Life Christian Church in Dover.

At the age of 16, Queen met an 18-year-old young man named Thomas ‘Bunny’ Millette whom she later married.  They were inseparable for 53 years. Queen loved her husband dearly, and they modeled what a committed Christ-like relationship looked and sounded like for the six children they created together.  Queen, a faithful and devoted wife, did everything with Bunny including travels to several countries.  Eventually, Queen and Bunney settled in the U.S. with their young family.  Throughout their marriage, they ate breakfast and dinner together every day.  Queen was a dedicated employee and worked at Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital for 30 plus years.

Queen immigrated to the U.S. to provide a better life for her children and her eventual grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  In her own special way, she made sure that the physical, emotional and spiritual needs were met for each child in her growing family. Mom made each of her six kids feel as though we were an only child by showering each of us with unconditional love and affection.  However, she did not hesitate to hold us accountable for our actions.  Often said to us, “When you are wrong, I am going to tell you that you are wrong.  What kind of parent would I be if I upheld you in your wrongness?  Or “A mother’s love is never ending, even when I leave this Earth, I will keep watching and taking care of you all.”   

The matriarch of the family, she led with love, strength, wisdom, and faith.  While Auntie Queen was small in physical stature, she was a force to be reckoned with and would often say, ”I am not going to bite my tongue.”  Whether she was debating politics or upholding right from wrong, she shared her viewpoints even if it meant lovingly chastising you.  Those who knew Auntie Queen are keenly aware that she enjoyed home décor and gardening. Sunflowers were her favorite flower. Knitting was also a favorite pastime.  Whether it was at home, on her lunch breaks or while on vacation, there was a knitting needle and crochet thread in her hands as she skillfully fashioned dollies which she gave as gifts and displayed throughout her two homes.  Queen also liked fashion and expertly adorned herself in African attire.

Gertrude leaves behind to carry on her lineage and legacy of strength, wisdom, love, and faith, her husband; Thomas Millette; six children, Doreen Pierre-Millette, Michael Pierre Sr. (Nicole),   Noreen Alexander (Anslem), Seon Pierre-Millette, Cassandra Pierre-Millette and Audie Pierre-Millette;  five grandsons, Derek., Michael Jr., Omri Jr., Daniel, and Kylijah-Judah; eight granddaughters, Kellyn (Rondel), Shimara, Kimarie, Tara, Kathy, Crystal, Kymani, and Ava;  five great-granddaughters, Jahzaiah, Adharie, Aubree, Ariah, and Kamayah;  sisters, Ingrid, Natasha, Audrey and Carol-Jannette; brothers Cosmas, Ramon, and Larry;  one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law;  a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins including Eslyn Young and Vanessa Crooks, friends including Rholda, colleagues, and community members.

Visitation Friday, September 21, 2018, 5:00-9:00PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 State Route 10 West, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com). Visitation Saturday, September 22, 2018, 8:15-8:30AM at Bethel AME Church, Morristown. Funeral Service will begin at 8:45AM at the church. Interment to follow at Locust Hill Cemetery, Dover.