Gertie Montulli feels the love from community at benefit after her cancer diagnosis

Photos by Tom Rivers: This group put on a benefit on Sunday at Dubby’s Tailgate for Gertie Montulli of Waterport. From left include Jodi Anstey, Bryan Dimon, Tyler Nunnery, Amy Gow, Gertie Montulli, Casey Horan (Montulli’s daughter), Tauhna Mickek and Byron Gow.

ALBION – Gertie Montulli has always been eager to give towards fundraisers in the community, and even organized benefits to support organizations and people in Albion and Orleans County.

On Sunday, she was on the receiving end, and she said it was overwhelming to see about 300 people turn out for a benefit to help her.

Gertie Montulli has gone through radiation and chemotherapy for stage 4 small cell lung cancer. She said the cancer has shrunk and she has a positive outlook on life.

Montulli, 60, has stage 4 small cell lung cancer. She completed radiation and now is in chemotherapy. The cancer isn’t operable because it’s close to her pulmonary artery.

Montulli is well known in the community. She ran a business, Sweet Treats by Gertie’s, where she sells popcorn in many different flavors. She also ran Gertie’s Groovy Garments, offering dresses, blouses, shirts, pants and other clothes for girls and younger women.

She also spearheaded an effort with monthly craft sales and basket raffles to raise money for charities and non-profit organizations in the county.

Montulli said the cancer diagnosis in march was very unexpected. She didn’t feel sick at all except for complications from hip surgery on Jan. 13. That hip surgery didn’t work out and she had to do it again on Feb. 27. On march 20, she fainted and was taken to the hospital. She was diagnosed with cancer.

“I cried all day the first day,” she said about the diagnosis.

But the next day she was determined to stay upbeat, and face the disease.

“I’m a happy person,” she said.

Montulli said she is very appreciative of the effort with the benefit on Sunday, with people and businesses donating 200 baskets and 75 gift certificates. About 300 people attended the benefit at Dubby’s Tailgate.

“I’m just overwhelmed by the amount of people,” she said.

Jodi Anstey was one of the main organizers for the event. She met Montulli at a craft show. Anstey was selling wreaths and Montulli had her popcorn for sale.

“She is a very giving person,” Anstey said. “She gives so much back to the community.”

Gertie Montulli is shown on July 19, 2024 at State Street Park in Medina where she was among the food vendors at Blue Thursdays. Sweet Treats by Gertie sells popcorn in 10 different flavors. Montulli said caramel is her top seller. She said she won’t be back selling popcorn at events this year.

Anstey said she expected people would show up for Gertie during the event o Sunday.

“She is very overwhelmed by all the love,” Anstey said.

Bryan Dimon of Medina also knows Montulli from craft shows. He sells Tupperware. He went to local businesses seeking donations. When people so the flyer with Montulli’s photo, they wanted to donate to the benefit and help her with her medical bills.

“She is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,” Dimon said. “There are so many people she’s helped.”

Jack Burris, director of the Hands 4 Hope ministry, attended the benefit. Hands 4 Hope received funds from one of the fundraisers run by Montulli a few years ago.

“She’s done a lot of good for a lot of people,” Burris said.

Bryan Dimon calls out the winning ticket numbers from a basket raffle on Sunday. There were about 200 gift baskets and 75 gift certificates up for raffle.