Geraldine (Gerry) Merrithew, (Gilmore) age 80, passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Cancer Unit of Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmaket, Ontario on March 12,2010. She was surrounded by family members at the time.
Gerry was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick on August 27, 1929 to Frank and Mary (Susie) Gilmore. She was predeceased by her former husband, Stanley Merrithew of Douglas in 2001. She was also predeceased by brother, Patrick(Connie) Gilmore-1980 and sister, Joan Gilmore-2009.
Gerry is survived by her sister, Gwendolyn Burns (Cain), Oromocto, NB and brother, AW (Mike) (Alma) Gilmore, Fredericton, NB. She is also survived by her children, Joyce (Sterling) Currie, Scotch Settlement, NB; Frank (Margaret) Merrithew, Beaver Lodge, AB; Patricia Merrithew, Newmarket, ON and Robert (Darlene) Merrithew, Fredericton, NB. She was very loved and will be sadly missed by her 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She is also mourned by her faithful companion, Sara.
Geraldine spent most of her life in New Brunswick and believed that you could do anything if you put your mind to it. Her life included a number of careers not normally performed by women, including apple grower, restaurant owner-operator and tractor trailer driver. Gerry taught school on a local license as well as returning to Business College in 1965 after which she worked for the NB Government Office-Department of Motor Vehicles. When Geraldine moved to Grande Prairie, AB in 1980 she also drove taxi and was a camp cook in Prudoe Bay, Alaska.
Geraldine lived with her daughter in Moncton from 2002 to 2007 and spent most of her spare time playing bridge. After moving to Ontario she also learned how to play bid euchre and a day was not memorable unless she had played cards. She enjoyed a bit of gambling and went to Las Vegas in celebration of the 80th birthday.
Gerry was also a member of Christ Church Anglican Church, Holland Landing, ON. To fulfill Geraldine's wishes she is being cremated and there will be no funeral service, or visitation. however, those wishing to express their condolences can make donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in her memory or All Saint's Anglican Church, McKeen's Corner, NB. Taylor's Funeral Home of Newmarket used for cremation services.