Gerda Viola Canha died at home in Vineyard Haven on Friday, Oct. 10, after a long illness with her family by her side. She was 91.

Gerda was the second oldest child of 10 children born to Sven John Alfred Lind and Elina (Nelson) Lind, two Swedish immigrants. She was born on Oct. 29, 1916 in Rockport and was raised in Maine.

She moved to Edgartown in the 1940s and worked as a maid for several residences. She married Domingo (Micky) Canha in 1969 who predeceased her in November of 1991.

She was a dedicated and hard worker. To help support her family she always worked multiple jobs. She was a local figure while working at the Art Cliff Diner, was employed as a domestic aide and assistant to Molly McAlpin of West Chop for 15 years, and as a home health aide for the Visiting Nurse Service of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.

Gerda enjoyed knitting, sewing, cooking, gardening and time spent with family and friends. She had a ready smile for everyone and was known for her easy-going manner, sense of humor and giggle.

She is survived by her four daughters, Ruth Peterson of Maine, Linda BenDavid and her husband Eddie of Oak Bluffs, Ellen Michael and her husband Brian of Fairhaven, and Rosemarie Roberts of Vineyard Haven; 14 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two stepsons, Domingo Canha and his wife Brenda of Oak Bluffs, and Joseph and his wife Sue of Vineyard Haven, their children, and grandchildren; two sisters Ann Luer and Ruth A. Shaw; as well as dear family friend, Hank Sjostrom of Oak Bluffs. She will also be missed by her cats and dog.

A graveside service and interment of her ashes will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. in the New Westside Cemetery located on Robinson Road in Edgartown, officiated by Rev. Roger Spinney.

Donations may be made in her memory to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, PO Box 2549 Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, the Island Senior Day Program, PO Box 1295, Edgartown, MA 02539, or the Vineyard Nursing Association, PO Box 2568 Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.