Gail Bertrand

November 18, 1942 - December 23, 2019

Gail Kidd Bertrand, 77, of Winnie, went home to our Lord Monday, December 23, 2019. Gail was born on November 18, 1942, in Texarkana, to Martha Marie Tomlin Kidd and Hennigan Aubrey Kidd.

Gail was the Director of Disaster Programs for the Disaster Services Corporation – Society of St Vincent de Paul of the United States and Regional Disaster Chair for the South-Central Region of St. Vincent de Paul. She also served as a representative on the Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and a committee member of the Long-Term Recovery Committee of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. She was appointed to the Task Force on Faith-Based Response which was created by the 86th Texas Legislature. Gail deployed all over the United States to help with disaster recovery from most of the major hurricanes and tornadoes in the last decade and numerous other manmade and natural disasters. She was a national figure in the disaster world known for her expertise of Disaster Case Management and Long-Term Recovery programs. Gail also revived the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Diocese of Beaumont, which had been dormant for over twenty years, and she formerly served as its Executive Director. She was a devout Catholic, long time Vincentian, member of the Drexel Society, witnessed her faith daily in her work, and had a heart as big as Texas. Gail received numerous accolades over the years for her outstanding work, but she always remained a humble servant leader. She often said that “God is the bus driver, I am just a passenger on the bus”.

Survivors include her daughter, Theresa Newsome-Donaghy and her husband, John, of Winnie; extended children, William Newsome, of Beaumont and Ginger Bitter, of San Antonio; brothers, Jerry Kidd and his wife, Sandra, of Port Neches and Billy Kidd and his wife, Nell, of Arkansas; grandchildren, Danielle Badgett and her husband, Matthew, of Nederland; Kristopher McBride and his wife, Andrea, of Winnie; Daine Holievina, of Winnie; Michael Dale McCown, of Winnie; Jeremy Dixon and his wife, Erica, of Port Neches; Jessica Miller and her husband, Andrew; Michayla Davis and her husband, Chance, and George Michael Newsome Jr., all of Sour Lake; eleven great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Vaughn McBride, of Winnie; daughter-in-law, Diane Newsome, of Sour Lake; and close friends, Luis, Shanon and Kimber Granado of Winnie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gail is preceded in death by her spouse, Dr. Carl Bertrand; brother, Jimmy Kidd; daughter, Elizabeth McBride; and son, George Michael Newsome.

A gathering of Mrs. Bertrand’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, December 29, 2019, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 30, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 4100 Lincoln Avenue, Groves, with interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.

In Gail’s memory donate to the charity that Gail was such a key leader of, the Disaster Services Corporation, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, USA, 320 Decker Rd, Suite 100, Irving, Texas 75062 (www.svdpdisaster.org); or to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, ww5.komen.org.

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Greenlawn Memorial Park - Groves

3900 twin city hwy groves tx 77619

Mass of Christian Burial

6250 washington groves tx 77619
12/30/2019
10:00 am

Rosary

505 n 12th street nederland tx 77627
12/29/2019
6:00 pm

505 n 12th street nederland tx 77627
12/29/2019
12:17 am

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Comments

B. J. Hargraves

Gail will be missed by the many she has helped throughout the years. Her passion in life was to help those in need & was always thinking about ways to help. I will miss her smile & compassion for others. B. J. Hargraves

Anna Tangredi

She's sitting at the right hand of God, in all her Glory. She's shed her earthly body with all the pain and is cloaked in his light. Fly high my friend,. I will miss you every day. Your wings were ready but my heart was not.

Elizabeth Disco-Shearer

And now dear friend it is your time to rest. Thank you for all your contributions to disaster survivors across the country. May God grant you eternal peace.

Y. Roberts

Gail will be truly missed. Her sweet sweet spirit inspired me and everyone who knew her. My heartfelt condolences to Theressa and all of Gail's family and friends. Christ Peace to all.

Danny Williams

So sorry to hear about Gail, such a wonderful and fun lady. We had a great time with she and Carl and our golfing group at the Port Arthur Country Club. We all took golf trips together and had a ball. She and her smile and laughter will surely be missed by all who knew her. May God bless she and her family.

Suzie and Kenny Ortego

Gail was always so warm and friendly. Our thoughts and prayers for the family during their time of sorrow. Sincerely, Suzie and Kenny Ortego

Debbie and Darwin Hutchison

Well done good and faithful servant, Rest In Peace ❤️

Concetta and Malcolm Rollins

Gail was such a beautiful woman in many aspects ....outwardly, inwardly, and spiritually! To know her was to know the love of God. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her. Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Gail! We will be praying for all.

Kathy Harvey

Gail was a true Texas woman, with a strong commitment to her family and friends. Her passion to help others was an inspiration. She was an extraordinary woman who left a remarkable legacy. She will be missed greatly.

DICK & IRENE REIMBOLD

Gail dear fellow Vincentian and friend., You have seen Jesus in the faces of so many disaster victims throughout the years. Now you see him in all His glory. We believe the Lord was happy to see you enter a new life. Eternal peace be granted to you. You will be missed. Dick and iIrene Reimbold

Sharon Kramer

My dear sweet friend my heart is so heavy to know that there will be no more silly memes and cold beer on the back patio. Your were such a warrior to those who’s lives you served. So humble to those that you loved. I will miss so so much. I love you ?

Glenda Kolb Woolwine

I will surely miss you....

Mary Reescano

In Sympathy - In this difficult time, may peace and love surround you. From: The National Drexel Society, Incorporation - National President, Mary Reescano