Geraldine Kennedy

Geraldine LaGrua Kennedy passed away Saturday April 20th 2019 at Basset Hospital of Cooperstown. Geraldine was born August 13, 1922 in Brooklyn New York the daughter of the late Fred and Elvira (Santangelo) LaGrua.

Gerry met the love of her life Howard Carvil Kennedy in Brooklyn while still in high school. They married on November 1, 1942. Together they traveled through life with a shared love of family, friends and new adventures. Howard predeceased her on October 25, 1998.

Moving to Long Island while raising her three children, Geraldine was active in politics, as a republican committee women, president of little league and serving as an election commissioner. She returned to work as a Systems Analyst first with a Physicians group, then working with Eastern Sates Bankcard Association. In charge of the newly burgeoning credit card call system. Gerry continued her career moving to Connecticut first as systems analyst then Vice President of Society for Savings in Hartford.

Retiring to Florida, Gerry was able to indulge her passion for travel visiting all 50 states, Europe, South American, the Caribbean and her beloved Sicily. Whether traveling with her husband, her daughters or alone she engaged with everyone.

After the death of her husband, Gerry began to volunteer at Orlando Regional Center in the emergency department and at Arnold Palmer children hospital in the NICU. She renewed her political interests and campaigned vigorously for President Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

Central to her life were her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom to her children, nana to her grandchildren and Nana GiGi to her great grandchildren she was their strongest advocate. Making sure we were all dressed well, well fed and well versed in the politics of the day. Strong, passionate and loving are words that defined her.

Geraldine is survived by her three children, George Robert (Debra) Kennedy, Orlando, FL, Patricia Ellen Kennedy (Jack Schluep), Oneonta and Geraldine Geisler, Oneonta; eight grandchildren, John David (Christina) Kennedy, Orlando, FL, Daniel Howard Kennedy, Orlando, FL, Rae Marie (Craig) Martin, Wellington, FL, Taylor (Meredith) Schluep, Oneonta, Christopher (Ahn) Schluep, Seattle, WA, John Paul (Farnaz) Schluep, Larchmont, Richard (Sarah) Geisler, Rochester and Amanda Geisler, St. Louis, MO; nine great grandchildren, Jack, Harrison, Ella June, Kian, William, Nicholas, Phoebe, Lydia and Millie George; one sister, Genevieve (Jack) Wyman, Schellsburg, PA; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four sisters, Rosalie, Theresa, Anna and Frances and two brothers, Robert and Thomas.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 26, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta with the Rev. David Mickiewicz officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.

Memorial donations may be made to Springbrook, 105 Campus Drive, Oneonta, New York 13820 in loving memory of Geraldine LaGrua Kennedy

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.