Mary Frances Gertsen

Mary Frances Gertsen, 81, died peacefully on April 14, 2024, with family by her side.

Born in Jersey City to the late James and Genevieve Muirhead, she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Gertsen while in a bowling league and the two were married in 1965.

Mr. and Mrs. Gertsen settled to Somerville in 1967 where they raised their five children. Mary Frances’ career began with working for AT&T. She was then a bus driver for the Barker Bus Company for eighteen years before retiring in 2011 after 34 years of driving for the Branchburg Township Board of Education. Behind the wheel she was known for her kindness and ability to manage a bus full of kids, as she was a pro after having a large family of her own.

She was a devout catholic and parishioner of The Church of The Immaculate Conception in Somerville and provided support in the rectory. Her natural talent for singing found a home with the Immaculate Conception Choir and she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.

Mary Frances was known for her dry humor and enjoyed puzzles and playing card games. Over the years she passed the time in the yard tending to her flowers, numerous bird feeders and furry felines. She was generous with her time and home, and practiced an open door policy to anyone in need of a place to rest their head.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert “Bob” Gertsen in 2022 as well as her dear brother James Muirhead.

She is survived by her children Marie Ann Phillips (Daniel), Lorraine Gertsen (Jeff), Robert J. Gertsen (Carrie), Elaine Gertsen (Greg), and Christine Adams (Kevin); cherished grandchildren, Daniel, Moira, Samantha, Tyler, Crowe, Ryan, Austin, Christien, and Chase; her siblings, Genevieve McCreary, Sharon Casullo and husband Bob, sister-in-law Nancy Muirhead and brother-in-law James E. Gertsen, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Memorial visitation will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00PM at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at The Church of The Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

Inurnment will follow at Resurrection Burial Park Mausoleum, Piscataway.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s research hospital, Donate Online .