Geraldine B. Liss is survived by her five children, Daniel, Marianne (James Butler), Susanne, Barbara (Dan Rouse) and Joanne; grandchildren Jennifer, Stephanie (Robert Lopez) and Mandus; great grandchildren Jessica, Marissa and Michelle, and great great grandchildren Athena and Alexander, adopted family Neal, Larry and their father, the late Fred Gironda and many dearly loved nieces, nephews and friends.
Born in Chicago on June 12, 1925, she lived her entire life in the same house, where her focus was always on family, and she drew great solace from her Catholic faith. She enjoyed traveling and reading all through her life, and keeping in touch even with family members who lived far away and were not in the area often.
She was married once, to Michael, who died of a heart attack in the spring of 1967. She then had to go back to work full time to support and finish raising the children. Up until then, she was a full time stay at home mother and wife. She always managed to get up and do what she had to do, and that lesson was ingrained in all her children.
She loved people, music and a good time: dancing at any opportunity, avidly attending musical performances, donning costumes at Halloween, and seizing any opportunity to connect with people. This led her to invite visitors into the family home, like exchange students from other countries, and to write and send cards for all occasions. She was always kind and considerate of others, and well respected in her family, church and community. Her care for others included founding of the St. Pascal Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to assist those in need.
Her red hair not only helped her be more visible in a crowd, it also drew redhead jokes to her like a magnet, yet she always had a hard time remembering punchlines to jokes. She went from growing up with party line phones to using smart phones and computers, emailing and surfing the web so as not to miss anything or anyone.
Her favorite form of exercise was swimming and that helped keep her agile and flexible well into her old age. She also loved to play card games, and even at 100, she was a sharp competitor, who always liked to say that the only reason to play a game is to win it.
Gerry will be fondly remembered and missed by many.
Services will be held at
St. Pascal Church
3935 N. Melvina Ave., Chicago
Tuesday, 9:30 Wake, followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30.
Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations to St. Pascal Church/Our Lady of the Rosary Parish (her spiritual home for 100 years). https://www.olrosary.org/
