Gertrude C. Seibert, retired Army major

Gertrude C. Seibert, 100, formerly of Olney and Somerton, a retired major in the Army Nurse Corps, died Friday, Jan. 10, of age-related causes at her home in Buckingham Township, Bucks County.

Born in Shenandoah, Pa., Maj. Seibert moved to Philadelphia with her family as a young girl.

In 1935, she graduated from the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia and worked as a city public health nurse until Sept. 10, 1940, when she accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. She was promoted to major March 6, 1958.

At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, there were fewer than 1,000 Army nurses serving worldwide. As bombs strafed Pearl Harbor, Miss Seibert already was aboard a transport ship headed for Hawaii.

Her niece, Carole Ann McCarthy, said she told of being one of the first nurses to arrive there from the United States. She never provided details.

After serving as a staff member at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, she was deployed to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington. One of her patients was Gen. John J. Pershing.

After the war, Maj. Seibert was stationed in Munich, Germany, and later Fort Eustis, Va.; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Okinawa; and Fort Dix. She was awarded medals for serving in various theaters of operation during World War II.

Her Army records show she was trained in nursing administration and how to handle mass casualties.

In December 1963, Maj. Seibert retired from the Army Nurse Corps with the rank of major.

She obtained a degree from Temple University and returned to work as a nurse for the Oscar Mayer Co. and the IRS, both in Philadelphia.

While her military assignments had afforded chances to travel, Maj. Seibert was content to spend her later years at home. She lived in Philadelphia before moving to Buckingham Township to be with a relative in 2012.

Known as "Aunt Gert," her niece said, Maj. Seibert will be remembered for her independence, quick wit, keen mind, and devotion to family and friends.

She is survived by six nieces and two nephews.

Services were Friday, Jan. 17.

Donations may be made to Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, 500 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia 19144.