DAYTON — Gertrude Helois Miller Morse, “Nana,” 88, passed away peacefully Feb. 1, 2013 surrounded by her family at Gorham House, where she had resided for the past year.

She was born March 14, 1924 to Howard and Grace St. Clair Miller in Brownfield. She was educated at Bean Memorial in Brownfield.

Gertrude had worked as a waitress in Bath, and in Fryeburg at the Box Shop and the Corn Shop and also picked apples for Dr. Roger Boothby in Brownfield, but what she loved and cherished the most was taking care of children wherever she lived. They were treated like her own children. She always said she had a policeman to help her out of trouble if she needed as she watched his children. Everyone called her “Nana.”

She married Burton Morse Sr. on Feb. 1, 1944 in Fryeburg. Together, they shared 49 years of marriage until Burton’s passing in October 1992. They lived in Brownfield and Fryeburg and finally moved to Dayton, where Gertrude stayed until 2009 when she moved to Hollis to live with her son and his wife until moving to Gorham House.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Perly, Alfred and Howard Miller; a sister, Viola Day; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Surviving are her sister Iva Hatch of Fryeburg; three children, Charles of North Windham, Paulette Grenier of New Port Richey, Fla. and Ralph of Hollis; stepchildren Burton Jr. of Portland, Joan Dunlop of Lowell, Mass., Philip of Readfield and Beverly Kyllonen of Norway; 20 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

An hour of visitation was held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at the Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple Street, Cornish. Burial will be in South Hiram in the spring. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wnyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association, 383 US Rt. 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.