Celebrating the Life of Gertrude “Trudy” Irene (LaCagnina) Peters

Gertrude “Trudy” Irene (LaCagnina) Peters of Lebanon, NJ — formerly of Bernardsville — passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025, at the age of 88.

Born in August 1937 in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Caldwell, Trudy’s kindness, energy, and love for family were apparent from the start. She graduated from Caldwell High School, where she met the love of her life, Joseph A. Peters. The two married in June 1959 and built a beautiful life together in Bernardsville, raising five sons whose adventures and achievements became her proudest joy.

Trudy’s life was one of service and devotion — to her family, her church, and her community. Whether volunteering at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, cheering from the sidelines at countless games, or supporting local scouts and school events, she was always at the heart of the action. The proud mother of five Eagle Scouts, she gave her time and love generously, making friends everywhere she went.

After moving to Lebanon, Trudy continued to share her warmth through the Lebanon Borough Seniors Club, planning trips and community gatherings filled with laughter and friendship. Her quick wit, contagious laugh, and radiant smile made every room brighter.

Trudy’s greatest joy was her family — her five sons, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren — whose photos filled her home and whose stories she shared with everyone she met. She was their biggest fan, attending plays, concerts, games, and recitals with camera in hand and pride in her heart.

Trudy was predeceased by her beloved husband Joe, her parents John and Beatrice Canon, and her siblings John LaCagnina and Delores Goione. She leaves behind her loving sons Joseph (Mary Ellen), Paul (Jennifer), Michael, Timothy (Amy), and Robert (Wendy) and daughter-in-law, Kayte; her adored grandchildren Thomas (Kaitlyn), Grace (Craig), Emily (Peter), Terrance (Emma), Corey, Will (Addy), Cole, Charles, Ava, and Cassandra; and great-grandchildren Brendan, Norah, and Cecilia. She is also survived by her brother Albert (Terry), brother-in-law Charles (Loretta), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ, on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at https://themmrf.org/ in Trudy’s memory.