Geraldine Ann “Gerry” Anthony, age 88, of Galena, IL completed her earthly journey on March 3, 2022, at the Galena-Stauss Nursing Home, while surrounded by her loving family. To honor Gerry’s life, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 14, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., St. Walter Catholic Church, 130 W. Pine St., Roselle, IL, with Fr. Mario Quejadas officiating. For those who cannot be in attendance, the mass will be live-streamed at https://www.stwalterchurch.com. Burial will be following the mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, 1185 W. Algonquin Rd. Palatine, IL.    

Gerry was born on July 25, 1933, in Chicago, IL, eldest daughter to Nicholas and Betsy (Cukierski) Mueller. She was the oldest of 8 children and instrumental in their nurturing, care and development.  She enjoyed playing softball in high school and favored the Chicago White Sox baseball team. Gerry was raised to have a love and devotion to God, family and friends from a very early age and this was a trait that she carried throughout her entire 88 years.  She raised three beautiful, strong, and independent daughters, while reinforcing the importance of carrying beauty not only on the outside for the world to see, but more importantly on the inside for the world to witness even more.  Her romantic heart was never hardened and the loving kindness she so generously shared in real life was akin to her favorite stories she would watch on the Hallmark channel.  Gerry worked in the vending hospitality industry for many years and took pride in her work and the people she mentored and worked beside.  She was a proud member of the Senior Group at St. Francis of Assisi in Bolingbrook, IL, and always appreciated the opportunity to fellowship whenever possible. Gerry treasured her time with family. She enjoyed cooking for them and could light up a room with stories and her contagious smile and laugh.  Our Mother Mary held a special place in her heart, and she would pray the rosary often. Gerry adored angels especially her guardian angel and now we pray that she has met hers in person.  It’s difficult to imagine a world without our beloved matriarch leading the way, but we know that the Lord will keep her safe in His loving arms until we meet her again.  Thank you, Gerry, for being the exact amount of love and light the world around you needed. May your reunion with all of your loved ones who’ve been called home ahead of you be even more glorious than we could even imagine.  We love you; we miss you, and we will treasure every memory forever more.   

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Geraldine include,

her 3 daughters,

Mary Becker, Elburn, IL,

Darlene (Scott) Howell, Galena, IL,

Kathie Bathum, Apple River Canyon, IL;

her 4 grandchildren,

Matt (Jaime) Becker, Justin (Gina) Becker, Erik (Chad Sanders) Howell, and Rachel (Justin Stec) Howell;

her 4 great-grandchildren,

Alyssa, Ryan, Jayce, and Cayden;

her siblings,

James, Betty (Joe), Susan, Ronnie (Judy), Linda;

along with numerous extended families and friends.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Betsy; her son’s-in-law, Keith Becker and Terry Bathum; and her siblings, Nick and Joanne.

Geraldine’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Galena-Stauss Nursing Home for their professional and compassionate care of Geraldine and her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be accepted in Geraldine’s name and donated among her favorite charities.

The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Gerry’s family and online condolences and memories may be shared with Geraldine’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com