Born Mabel Gertrude Clark, she was known to all as Gertrude. Gert came into her own as a writer in the late 1980’s when she authored numerous columns for the local newspaper concerning “everyday life” in Brown County. Later, she and Norman created and marketed the booklets Granny Gert’s Recipes and Granny Gert’s Old Wives’ Tales as well as Norman’s unique postcards.
Gert believed Norman Vincent to be an artistic genius and without her sacrifice he would not have been able to pursue his passion for modern painting. With only an eighth-grade education she had limited access to profitable employment, working at The Pittman House hotel as a part-time desk clerk but supporting his work mostly by cooking, child-sitting, and cleaning the homes of affluent artists and merchants. Gert is remembered for her devotion to her family and her unwavering Christian faith.
The commentary on Granny Gert’s books is written by Ian MacLeod
(your humble web designer and loving grandson of Granny Gert.)
Highlights of the home cooking that kept me coming back every weekend. Gert selects a handy casserole called Tramp’s Delight, her saffron dumplings, persimmon pudding and many others, all “Yummy for the Tummy”. (I can reassure you.)
A collection of proverbs, superstitions and homespun wisdom from Gert and countless other “Old Wives,” with illustrations by Norman Vincent.
