Gertrud "Trudy" Plattner

Gertrud Ursel (Conrad) Plattner, 92, died peacefully in her sleep on September 13, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Born May 3, 1927 in Hamburg, Germany, Trudy, as she was known to her family and friends, was a daughter of Carl and Else (Noack) Conrad. She grew up in Hamburg and Hannover and remembered a happy childhood despite the hardships of World War II. She graduated with an Abitur degree in 1944, studied languages, and as a young adult worked at a number of jobs, notably for the American Consular office at a displaced persons camp near Hamburg, where she helped to settle refugees in the United States. In 1953, after securing a job with TWA, she travelled to New York City to stay for six months to see America. While in N.Y.C., she met her future husband, Frank X. Plattner Jr., and the two married in 1955, settling in Elmhurst, N.Y. Trudy later worked as an airline ticket agent for Lufthansa. The couple raised their son, Frank, and daughter, Christina, in Douglaston, N.Y. Trudy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, family member and friend. During her nearly 50 years in Douglaston, Trudy was active in community affairs. She was a tireless organizer and helped found the Winchester Estate Civic Association. She was largely responsible for getting the neighborhood downzoned and for protecting an ancient cemetery. She was an active member of the Community Church of Douglaston, North Hills Country Club in Manhasset, the Roslyn Landmark Society and the Greene County Historical Society, among other organizations. After Frank retired, Trudy and Frank spent several winters in Florida. In 2009, they moved permanently to Pompano Beach. Beginning in 2010, Trudy lived in the John Knox Village retirement community in Pompano, and in 2011 moved to its assisted living facility, Gardens West, after her husband’s death. Trudy had an adventurous spirit. She was athletic and enjoyed travelling and the outdoors. She played the piano, swam, golfed, gardened, listened to the radio, read and embroidered. She spent many summers and weekends at the family home in Cairo, N.Y., where she restored a circa 1850 farmhouse. Devoting time to her family and friends was always a priority. As well as her parents and her husband of 55 years, Trudy was predeceased by her sister Ilse Koch and her brother Gerhard Conrad, both of Germany. She is mourned by her son, Frank (Cecile) Plattner, and daughter, Christina Evola, both of Greenville, N.Y.; her four grandchildren Anna (Justin Vergottini-Wexler), Matthew and Marina Plattner, and Julia Evola; and three nieces and a nephew. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, September 22nd, from 12-2PM at Richards Funeral Home of the Mid-Hudson Valley, 29 Bross Street, Cairo, N.Y. A prayer service will take place at 1:30pm. Interment in the Cairo Cemetery will take place at a later date. Donations in Trudy’s honor may be made to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties, Agroforestry Center, 6055 Route 23, Acra, NY 12405, http://ccecolumbiagreene.org. Condolences may be made at www.richardsfuneralhomeinc.net.

Gertrud "Trudy" Plattner

May 3, 1927 - September 13, 2019