Gertrude Estelle Fountain Brown 94 of Palm Coast Florida passed away on Thursday September 6 2012 at her home. Born in Brooklyn N.Y. Gertrude moved to Palm Coast in 1988. She was the first child of John and Harriet Fountain. When Gertrude was 17 a high school senior her mother died and she became the "mother" to her five brothers and baby sister. After almost two years of this regimen her father agreed to have the younger children go to foster care. At age 19 Gertrude was thrust out into the adult world to make a living. She worked mostly factory jobs while going to night school to finish high school and finally to Brooklyn College. She eventually held jobs at the NYC Bureau of Vital Statistics and Census Bureau at the Department of Commerce Washington D.C. Gertrude entered the NYC Department of Corrections in 1946. Gertrude was promoted through the ranks until 1967 when she was promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent and assigned to the Elmhurst Prison as Commanding Officer. She retired from the Department of Corrections in 1976 after 30 years. During those 30 years she was very active and involved in many civic and community activities such as chairperson of the community chest fund for 12 years; coordinated the Mayor's Christmas gift campaign for the city hospital; chairperson of the Department of Corrections United Fund campaign; initiated and administered the Commission's Flower Fund; appointed by Commissioner Anna Kross as the female member of the Public Relations Unit; charter member "NOW" The National Organization of Women; Representative of the Department of Correction at the Governor's conference of women; president The Afro-American Correction Retirees Fraternal Association; member of The Westminster Presbyterian Church; United Neighbors Civic Association; member of the NAACP and the Key Women of Queens. In retirement Gertrude was an active supporter and early member of the African American Cultural Center. Additionally Gertrude loved entertaining and being entertained by her Palm Coast friends. They became like family. Her three great-grandsons added extra joy to her life. The love of her life was their mother Kia whom she raised as her daughter instead of her grand-daughter. Gertrude was preceded in death by her loving husband. Paul Blackwell; daughter Paula Blackwell; parents John and Harriet Fountain; five brothers: John Leon Gil Paul and Augustus Fountain. She leaves a legacy of love and zest to her surviving grand-daughter Kia Martin; three great-grandsons: Joseph Christian and Julian Vera; one sister Harriet Fountain; four sisters-in-law Evelyn Karen and Leila Fountain and Ida St Hill; first cousins Jewel Saunders Frances Johnson Deloris Young Ida Bentham Betty Williams Vivian Squires and Robert Williams. Also a host of nephews nieces other relatives and friends. On September 17 2012 the family will receive guests from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM. A memorial service will follow from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Lohman Funeral Home Palm Coast 220 Palm Coast Parkway SW Palm Coast FL 32137. (386) 449-1100 Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.Lohmanfuneralhomes.com