Gertrude "Cookie" J. Breining, 95, of Trevorton Road, Shamokin, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, surrounded by her family.

She was born Oct. 6, 1928, the youngest child of John W. Snyder and Catherine (Kowalski) Snyder.

She was a graduate of Trevorton High School, Class of 1946. Also, a graduate of Ja'mel School of Cosmetology in 1960. She continued her education by obtaining her BS from Elizabeth College in 1976 and her master's degree in 1981. She taught at Ja'mel School of Cosmetology, Empire Beauty School and North Schuylkill Vocational-Technical School. Cookie retired from Columbia-Montour Area Votech in 1991 after 30-plus years of teaching and substitute teaching in surrounding districts for another 7 years.

On July 8, 1950, she was married to Daniel F. Breining Jr., who preceded her in death on Feb. 20, 2001. They celebrated 50 years of marriage on July 8, 2000.

She was an active, lifetime member of Trinity Evangelical Church on Arch and Anthracite streets, Shamokin, until its closing. She served as a church ministry council member. After Trinity's closing her membership was transferred to Emmanuel E.C. Church in Trevorton. She was also a member of OES No. 206 of Sunbury and a member of PASR and PSERS Pa. Association of retired Teachers.

Survivors include her son, David L. and Bethann (Delbaugh) Breining and her daughter, Sharon L. (Kevin) Styer, both of Trevorton Road; three grandchildren and their spouses, Jason and Shelly (Burke) Breining of Hedgesville W.Va., Danielle (Matthew) Phillips of Gettysburg, Pa., and Heather A. (Terry) Ellsworth of Virginia Beach, Va.; seven great-grandchildren, Ashalee Breining (N.J.), Colby and Holy Breining (W.Va.), Kylee and Caleb Phillips (Gettysburg) and Spencer and Phoebe (Va.). Also, many nieces, nephews, former students and friends. She will be missed by them all.

Her love for her family was only second to the love for her Lord and Savior. If you came into her home a stranger you certainly left feeling her love and definitely with a full stomach. She loved feeding everyone and witnessed to anyone that would listen and even some that didn't.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Eleanor Witmer and Olga Walt; her brother, Joseph Snyder; and three siblings and a grandson who died in infancy.

A time of visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 31 from 9. to 11 a.m. at Emmanuel E.C. Church, 615 W. Shamokin St., Trevorton PA 17881, followed by the funeral service with Pastor Joshua Notestine officiating.

Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery, Coal Township.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert G. Foust Jr. Funeral Home, Trevorton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gertrude's memory may be made to Emmanuel E.C. Church or the American Cancer Society.

Her family wishes to thank Residential Rehab and Hospice Care for their many hours of care given to her over the last year.