Gertrude Westcott

Gertrude Elizabeth Westcott, 82, a lifelong resident of Mancelona, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Cherry Hill Haven of Kalkaska. She was born on January 27, 1944, in Ypsilanti, MI, the daughter of Leslie and Vivian (Stratton) Spires.

Gertie graduated from Mancelona High School in 1962 and has remained in the area ever since. She married the love of her life, Kenneth Westcott, at the Mancelona United Methodist Church. She worked at several local establishments over the years, but her most cherished job was running an in-home daycare for 24 years. She loved every child the same no matter the circumstance, and she and her husband also housed many foster children over the years. She volunteered much of her time to the Village of Mancelona Fire Department helping organize different events, primarily the annual garage sale.

Gertie had a heart of gold and was one of the most caring people you could ever meet. She was always putting others before herself and had a nurturing nature that you couldn’t help but be drawn to. In more recent years, she enjoyed knitting, especially ‘safety scarves’ for family members and many first responders in the area. Gertie was also a master in the kitchen; she liked to bake lots of goodies and could put together a dinner spread like no other.

Gertie is survived by her beloved husband, Kenneth Westcott; her two children, Ron (Cathy) Westcott, and Teresa (Rick) Skrobecki; five sisters, Zila Healy, Edna (Norm) Lanning, Sheryl (Dave) Miller, Bonnie (Jay) Wildfong, and Jeanne (Eric) Hoogerhyde; four grandchildren, Ron Westcott (Kristy), Natalie (Josh) Peterson, Skyler Skrobecki (Nicole), and Summer Skrobecki (Max); and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Martina Sutter; and three brothers, Samuel Spires, Leslie Spires, and Rick Spires.

A celebration of Gertie’s life will take place at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com