NORWICH – Geraldine Bailey, 79, of Norwich and formerly of the South New Berlin and Gilbertsville areas, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2013, in the Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center of Norwich.
Geraldine’s family, faith and church sustained her throughout her life. She was born Dec. 13, 1933 in Norwich where she was raised and attended the Norwich schools. At the age of 19 she went to work for the Norwich Knitting Mill where she worked for more than 30 years until her retirement. After the passing of her husband, Louis, she moved back to Norwich where she has made her home for the past seven years. Her love of people led her to a second career working in quality care for people in their homes.
Geraldine’s family and faith were everything to her, which guided her to be a wonderful mom and grandma. Over the years she had been a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville and the First Baptist Church of Norwich. She was a person who enjoyed the simple things in life, a trait which is difficult to find today, and just enjoyed watching the world go by. One of her simplest joys was to watch and collect hummingbirds and she could spend hours watching them feed. A quiet person in many ways, she enjoyed rides in the country, taking trips with her late husband Louis to Niagara Falls, Bermuda and frequent trips to the Amish Country in PA. She also enjoyed watching her soap operas on a daily basis, Bonanza and Gunsmoke, with James Arness being her favorite actor.
Geraldine loved to eat out. Aside from being an excellent cook herself with her specialties mac and cheese and baked beans, she enjoyed going to Pizza Hut and dining at the Old Mill.
Geraldine is survived by her children, Donald A. White and wife Susan of Norwich, Lorrie Alcorn and husband Daniel of Rochdale, Mass., her step-son Ronald Bailey and wife Deborah of West Winfield, along with seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband Louis Bailey and son Scott White.
A funeral service for Geraldine will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Mark Piedmonte, Pastor of the Gilbertsville Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Norwich. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home.