D. Gertrude Bowen, known as Trudy, was born on July 18, 1923. She lived in Washington, DC, attended Hampton Institute (now University) in Virginia, and worked at Howard University in DC. 

Trudy moved to California in the 1960's. She lived in Berkeley briefly before settling at the Empress apartments on Harrison Street in Oakland in 1965. She worked as a secretary at UC Berkeley and retired from the Scandinavian Department.

She was an independent woman who was very particular about how she lived her life. She had a few close friends whom she kept in contact with by exchanging greeting cards, See's chocolates, and fruitcakes. Trudy took pleasure in the view from her balcony, her immaculate Karmann Ghia, and ice cream for dessert every single day.

In 2012 she moved into an assisted living community, just a mile from her apartment. She enjoyed brunches in the dining room, occasional excursions to sights and restaurants around the East Bay, and her regular mani/pedis.

Trudy passed away on October 10, 2021, aged 98, under care of hospice. She is survived by her goddaughter Lorraine Gay. Trudy was preceded in death by her parents and sister. Her final resting place will be at the Flowering Pear Garden in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.