Gerture Catherine McCaster, 79, of Poughkeepsie, NY departed this life peacefully on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center surrounded by family by family and loved ones. Gerture was born on October 8, 1937 in Fairmont, North Carolina to the late Bessie Stephens Rickett and Charlie Frank Rickett. Gerture was a former resident of Newburgh, NY for 59 years and presently resided in Poughkeepsie for 3 years at the Senior Citizens Housing on Cannon Street.

Mrs. McCaster was employed by the West Point Military Academy for 27 years in the custodial department, and later on as a waitress in food service at the Cadet Mess Hall for 17 years; she was also a foster parent.

Mrs. McCaster enjoyed reading her bible, writing in her journal, reading novels, traveling, listening to her religious gospel CDs and watching her favorite quartet singers on her DVDs. On days she felt well enough, she would join her friends Mary Jolly, Norma Reynolds and Mr. Jeff Grimes in the hall of the senior citizens residence to play music, share enjoyable conversations and invite them to her church. She would serve tea, coffee and snack, and then go back to her apartment to rest up for the next time they would meet up.

Gerture was lovingly called "Kitty Cat" and "Bud" by some of her family members. She was also known for telling it like it is and being up front with people. She would often say she was ready to go be the Lord and she was tired of living in her sick body.

Gerture was a member of the Beth-el Church of God in Christ, Superintendent Dr. Dwight Hunt, pastor and a member of the Heaven Bound Church in Newburgh where the late Bishop Tate was her pastor.

She leaves to cherish her memories, one son Luke (Diane) Underwood from Philadelphia, PA,  daughters; Patricia Bowen, her devoted caregiver (Ansel), Bionca McCaster all of Poughkeepsie, NY,  Clarisis Green of Newark, NY, a sister-in-law; Ruby of Arizona, brothers; Charles Rickett of Albany, NY and Andrew Rickett of Newburgh, NY, sisters; Annie Thomas of Montgomery, NY, Gracy Bailey(Cilburn) of Middlehope, NY and Joyce Odome of Newburgh, NY, 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, a host of relatives and friends, Mother Emma Hunter, Ms. Betty Foster (best friend) and Brother Cook.  She is pre-deceased by her husband Rufus McCaster, sisters; Janice Williams, Joann Rickett, Sandra Lorraine Rickett.

Visitation is Wednesday, March9, 2016 10-11AM with a  home going celebration immediately following the Beth-el Church of God in Christ, 91 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY with Pastor Dwight Hunt officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph. J Darrow Funeral Home, 39 So. Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. 845-452-1840. To send online condolences please visit www.darrowfuneralhome.org.