Gertrude Shortman

Gertie (also called Pookie by Phil) is a major character of the Nickelodeon animated series Hey Arnold. She is Arnold's wise paternal grandmother and Grandpa Phil's wacky wife.
She is known to be the master of martial arts and she teaches Arnold self-defense from a mugger. She helped Arnold to save his treehouse from Big Bob, and helped him save the turtles from torment by children. She also try to save Arnold from being stuck in the subway bus.
She is voiced by Tress MacNeille, who also voiced Charlotte Pickles and Tandi.
==Personality==
Gertrude usually acts younger than she appears. She is a martial arts master according to Gerald. She taught Arnold self-defense in "Mugged" and helped him save a turtle from constant torment from the elementary school children in "Field Trip" episode. She is often the only person who understands Arnold. She is very upbeat, and takes any situation with the same enthusiasm as any other. This was best shown in "The List," where Arnold failed attempts at having "the perfect Saturday" are compared with Grandma Gertie's attempts to get her piano moved into the house. In the end, she has the piano put on the roof (where it stays for the rest of the show), and she and Arnold share a song about how you shouldn't let the little problems get you down.
She has a habit of mixing up holidays in holiday episodes of the show. For example, during Arnold's Christmas, she says "Happy Thanksgiving everybody!" She plays the piano; and during holiday episodes, plays seasonal music, but confuses it; she played Christmas music in the Thanksgiving episode.
==Gallery==
Tumblr oqxrk1ZrfX1tr6wqbo2 250.png
Tumblr p0qi37TYew1ujpyi9o4 400.gif
File:GrandmaGertieVersusCostume00.webp|Gertrude in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2.
==Trivia==
*Her and Phil's relationship is similar to Arnold and Helga's when she and Phil were kids.
==Navigation==
Category:TV Show Heroes
Category:Cartoon Heroes
Category:Video Game Heroes
Category:Female
Category:Nurturers
Category:Voice of Reason
Category:Mentally Ill
Category:Disciplinarians
Category:Elderly
Category:Wise
Category:Parents
Category:Optimists
Category:Theatrical Heroes
Category:Jerks
Category:Martial Artists