Gertrude Irene "Gertie" Dickson, of John XXIII Home of Hermitage, formerly of Lafayette Ave., Sharon, PA passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 at 6:05 a.m.., in John XXIII home after an extended illness. She was 86. She was born in Sharon, PA on August 5, 1926, the daughter of the late Harry L. and Dorothy (Darby) Means. She was a 1944 graduate of Sharon High School and later attended Penn State University taking courses. Gertie was a 50 plus year member of Covenant Presbyterian Church Sharon, PA., where she had served as a Deacon, and had been a member of the Chancel Choir and the Couplers Class. Also, she had helped with funeral dinners and had served as financial secretary of the church for several years. She had worked as a clerk in the drapery department at the former Strouss Store in Hermitage, for several years. She had also worked at J.C. Penney's in Hermitage at one time. Gertie enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards, crocheting, and was an avid bird watcher. In her younger years, she was a den mother with Cub Scouts, and was involved with Girl Scouts program. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Farrell, and attended the Salvation Army of Sharon Senior Group. She was the widow of Bernard Eugene Dickson. whom she married on Feb. 14, 1949. He died on December 30, 1991. She is survived by three daughters, Sherry L. Hageman and her husband, James, of Heath, OH., Peggy L. Portal of Sharon, PA, and Jean Dickson of Merrimack, NH. and two sons, Larry S. Dickson and his wife, Peggy of Saegertown, PA., James E. Dickson and his wife, Lori, of Fredrick, MD. and a son-in-law, Randall D. Martin, of Brookfield, OH. Also survivng sister, Shirley Wolfgang of Hermitage, PA along with11 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceeded in death by her daughter, Donna Sue Martin who died in 1990. Donations in her memory may be made to Covenant Prebyterian Church, 263 East State St., Sharon, PA 16146 or to the Salvation Army , Fisher Hill, Sharon, PA 16146 Friends are invited to call Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 from 2-4;00 & 7-9:00 p.m.. at Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home, 264 East State St., Sharon, PA 16146. Funeral service at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sharon, PA.on Fri., Feb 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Terry Mann, pastor officiating. Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage, PA.