When her journey neared the end of the trail, Gertrude Philippe wanted to depart in the place she loved the best.

"We brought her back to the cabin she and her family hand- built in the 1940s," said her son, Robert Philippe. "We lit a fire in the fireplace and stayed with her for the final three weeks."

Born Gertrude Miller in Denver on June 5, 1917, the Colorado native died of natural causes on Nov. 14 at age 91 in Frisco.

Sam Miller, her father, was a major figure in the livestock business in Colorado and Wyoming, Robert Philippe said. Mrs. Philippe's mother, Annie Kaplan, operated Orlinsky Market at West Eighth Avenue and Mariposa Street in early 1900s Denver.

"She was a true Denverite. She was born at 18th and Race, married at Sixth and Clement and lived at First and Elm," said Robert Philippe.

Mrs. Philippe graduated from East High School and the University of Denver. Her family recalled that she was a talented athlete, especially at basketball.

In 1936 she married Frank Philippe, who worked for The Columbia Press, his family's business, in Denver. During World War II, Mrs. Philippe worked with the Army Signal Corps and pursued her love of the mountains.

"She was always extremely active. She loved to hike. Even when she was older she could keep up with a bunch of us kids," said her grandson, Trevor Philippe.

In the mid-1970s, Mrs. Philippe partnered with her son, Robert, to form the Philippe Family Investment Co., a developer of commercial real estate in Summit County.

"She worked for our company six days a week as the bookkeeper until she retired on her 90th birthday," said her son. She retired on her 90th birthday in June 2007.

Robert Philippe added: "We always said that her hobby was opening bills as soon as they arrived and paying them in full immediately." Mrs. Philippe "kind of kept everybody in the family together," her son said.

"I was a big fan of her turkey stuffing and her chicken noodle soup. She made lots of comfort food," said Trevor Philippe.

Preceding her in death were her husband and a son, Richard Philippe. She is survived by her second husband, Bertram Naster; a son, Robert Philippe; grandchildren Trevor Philippe and Talya Norel; and numerous relatives.

Mrs. Philippe was remembered with a service and luncheon on Monday at her favorite restaurant, the Monaco Inn, 962 S. Monaco Parkway. Mrs. Philippe's grandniece, Rabbi Jamie Korngold, of Boulder, led the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Pioneer Families Museum Fund, Temple Israel Foundation, 208 W. Eighth St., Leadville, CO 80461. Send condolence cards to P.O. Box 67, Frisco, CO 80443.