Geralda “Geri” Dolan
1926-2020
It is with
great sorrow that we, the family of Geralda
“Geri” Dolan, 93, of Amherst, Nova Scotia,
announce her passing on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Born on August 10,
1926, in Seaforth, ON, she was the youngest child of the late John and
Catherine (Walsh) Flannery. She was the last surviving member of her
immediate family.
Geri began her
working carrier in Guelph, ON to help provide for her younger sister
and ill mother as three of her elder brothers went to serve in the
war. While at a Knights of Columbus dance she met her husband, a
Veterinary student. Geri married Leonard Joseph Dolan on December 26,
1949. For the next few years the young couple lived in various parts
of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with their growing family. In 1960
they settled in Amherst where they raised seven children on a small
farm and her husband was a partner/owner of the Amherst Veterinary
Clinic.
Geri was
active all her life in church activities, CWL, choir, and served on
the Archdiocese Religious Education Committee. Geri had a strong sense
of faith and was a role model to her family on the value of prayer.
She volunteered in many community programs such as the adult reading
program, driver of students for the Head Start Preschool program, Girl
Guide Trefoil Guild, Band Parent Association for ARHS, and IODE. She
and her husband agreed to have the Fundy Youth Soccer Program use
their centrally located property for the enjoyment of all the children
to play soccer. She was an excellent photographer, loved to read and
expand on her antique collection. Geri was an adventurous cook, baker,
and recipe collector and spent many happy hours in her beautiful
flower gardens. For ten years she ran the Birchlane Farm Bed and
Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed meeting new
people. Geri loved to travel and had many wonderful
adventures over the years with her close group of traveling companions
and family.
She is
survived by daughter Coreen Dolan (Ray
Bosomworth), Calgary, AB granddaughter Lynn (
Stephen Krassie), great grandchildren Frank and Margot ; son Daniel
(Debora) Halifax/Woodstock, grandchildren Mark
(Michelle), Allison, Lauren (Jake
Mattinson) great grandchildren
Lexel, and Loyol , son Steven ( Brenda Bourgeois ), Halifax and
grandsons Connor, and Quinn, son Michael,
Miramichi, and Grandson Nathan, Truro, great
grandchildren Brody and Casey, daughter Irene
(Larry) Legere, Amherst, granddaughter Samantha (Greg), and grandson
Andrew (Alana) and great grandsons Fergus & William; daughter
Marie Dolan, Halifax; and daughter Ruth (Ron) Dekker, Chatham, ON
granddaughters Erin, Morgan, and grandson Owen. She
is also survived by sister-in-law’s Betty Clancy, Lourdes
Connell, Miramichi, NB; and Louise Werstiuk, Edmonton, AB, as well as
many nieces and nephews.
In addition to
her parents Geri was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Leonard Dolan,
sisters, Katherine Reynolds, Martha Miller, Theresa Flannery, and
brothers, Lou, Cyril, John, and James
Flannery.
The family
would like to give thanks to Marilyn Letcher, Georgie Dwyer, Kim
MacDonald, and Donna Everist who were the wonderful caregivers that
helped enable their mother to live in her own home until recently.
Special mentions to Marilyn, and Georgie who became not only friends
to Geri but went above and beyond to keep Geri active, comfortable,
entertained throughout her day, and have become part of the family
over the last several years. Mom always felt content, safe, and loved
with you ladies around her.
Arrangements
are under the care and direction of Jones Family Funeral
Centre, 70 Church St., Amherst, NS (902-667-8777). The
family will receive visitors on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 2-4
& 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the Holy Family
Parish on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11 a.m. Burial will take place
in the St. Charles Nativity Cemetery in the
Spring.
Should friends
desire, memorial contributions may be made to the MS Society,
Arthritis Society, or Canadian Mental Health. Sharing of memories and
condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Geri’s online
memorial at www.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through the Jones Family Funeral Centre Facebook
Page.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Geralda Geri Dolan 19262020..
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Death notice for the town of: Amherst, Province: Nova Scotia