Geraldine Stella Massey

She was born to Peter Martin Ostrowski and Stella Pudruchny on February 05, 1933 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Gerri (as she liked to be called) and her brother Ed, grew up across the road from their grandparents in Vancouver. She shared many memories from this time including eating traditional meals from Poland that her grandmother would make (especially pierogies), playing with the animals on her grandparents small farm, going gooey duck hunting, picking blueberries and going swimming at Harrison Hot Springs in British Colombia. Her grandfather could do the Hopak dance.

As a young woman in Vancouver, she worked as a fashion model and was featured in several newspapers and magazines.

Gerri and her friends took a trip to Seattle, Washington. Here she met a young handsome Oklahoma man named Gus Massey, whom she married. (m. 1959 to 1990). During this marriage they had two children. Carl and Cindy "Bear" Massey. At this time, the family lived in California and Gerri worked in the school's cafeteria. Gerri loved the coast of California, especially Pacifica. Unfortunately, in California, the family lost their daughter at the age of 7.

The family then moved to different locations in the United States: Utah, Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. In Utah and Oklahoma, the family owned and trained horses. Gerri would help train, transport and take care of the horses. While in Utah, they had a record holder horse named Catch-A-Rocket.

When Gerri and Gus's marriage ended, she moved back to Canada and took care of her ailing mother. After her mother's passing, she moved to her beloved Pacifica and enjoyed exploring the coast and mountains with friends, attended water aerobics class, shopping at her favorite store Trader Joe's and pet sitting.

Later in life, Gerri moved back to Oklahoma to be near her son and daughter in law.

Gerri had a loving, kind, patient spirit that people and animals would gravitate to. She was simple and humble and noticed everything in nature and had the most beautiful garden. Gerri enjoyed watching birds (Cardinals were her favorite), squirrels, deer and turkeys. She smiled a lot and had a zest for life and loved to exercise, especially walking and persuaded other ladies at her apartment complex to join her, helping them to stay healthy. She loved colorful natural healthy foods, going to museums, enjoyed all types of music and loved wearing Tilley hats. Gerri rescued two cats (Buddy Boy and Mitzi). She loved them deeply. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother, aunt and friend and also left everlasting beautiful memories in everyone she encountered.

Gerri is survived by her son Carl Massey (Marla), step grandson Daniel Thompson (Stephanie), great grandson Arthur Thompson and nieces Charlotte and Tanya. Many friends and her two cats Buddy Boy and Mitzi.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, daughter Cindy, former husband Gus and brother Ed Ostrowski.

The family would like to thank Heritage Skilled Nursing and Choice Hospice for their care and the peaceful passage of our mother.

Gerri's wishes were to be cremated with no service. The family has plans in the future, to scatter her ashes at her beloved Pacifica coast and celebrate her life.