Gertrude R. (Keenan) Brew, 89, died peacefully surrounded by her family at the Regional Hospice and Palliative Care Center on March 26. She was born in Danbury to Gertrude Blake Keenan and Walter Keenan.

James V. Brew, the love of her life, her high-school sweetheart, and husband of 66 years; and her children and their spouses, Dianne and Robert Morey of Newtown, Maureen and Don Arsenault of New Milford, James W. and Anne Brew of Oakton, Va., and Paul and Barbara Brew of New Milford, survive her. Mrs Brew was cherished by her eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, who thoroughly enjoyed Nana's cooking, and they swear that her snickerdoodles cannot be replicated. She was eagerly awaiting the birth of great-grandchild number 10, in June. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Cessario of Danbury; and many nieces and nephews. Her siblings, Helen Ledan, Walter Keenan, Robert Keenan, and Dorothy Clement, predeceased her.

Mrs Brew graduated from Danbury High School and worked for many years at Southern New England Telephone Company, Davis and Geck, and eventually retired from the Perkin-Elmer Corporation after years of dedicated service in its document control department and photo lab.

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mrs Brew was a very talented photographer and artist. She attended classes at WestConn and Wooster, and she worked with local artist Shirley Fernekes to hone her skills. Mrs Brew's paintings were accepted into multiple Connecticut Senior Juried Art Shows, and her photos graced the cover of a Connecticut tourism magazine and various art exhibits.

Mr and Mrs Brew enjoyed each day together, especially traveling throughout the United States and Europe. Their trips and family provided wonderful subject matter for her artwork. As "snowbirds" for more than20  years, they enjoyed their escapes from wintry New England and deeply valued the friendships they made at Sunnybrook in New Port Richey, Fla.

Calling hours will be conducted at Green's Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, on Tuesday, March 28, from 4 to 8 pm.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 46 Stone Street, Danbury, on Wednesday, March 29, at 10 am.

The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff at Regional Hospice for the compassionate and attentive care that they provided for Mrs Brew and her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Regional Hospice and Palliative Care, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury CT 06810; or Sacred Heart Church, 46 Stone Street, Danbury CT 06810.