Geraldine Irene Strachan

05/16/1934 - 03/26/2018

Geraldine “Gerry” Irene Strachan (née Shandor) died peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on March 26, 2018 in Solana Beach, CA. She was 83.

Gerry was born May 16, 1934, in Warren, OH, to John and Irene Shandor (née Mathe).

She attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Elementary School (class of 1948) and St. Joseph’s Academy (class of 1952). She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. John College in Cleveland, Ohio; and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.

After graduating with her Master’s degree, Gerry moved to San Diego, California in August 1959 to be a Clinical Instructor at Mercy College of Nursing, San Diego, California, until 1961. She next worked as a Staff Nurse with the Visiting Nurse Association (1961-62), and as a Discharge Planner with Grossmont Community Hospital, La Mesa, California (1961-1963). After taking a break to raise a family of four children, Gerry took a position as a Supervisor Adult Homemaker Service, with the Visiting Nurse Association (1975 – 1983). She next worked as a Staff Nurse and Center Manager with The George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, Inc. (1986 – 1991), and as an Instructor and Nursing Education Supervisor with The George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers from 1990 until her retirement.

While at The George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, Gerry was responsible for taking over 1,500 San Diegans off welfare and transitioned them into a career in nursing.

She co-authored: (1) Alzheimer's disease: a study of assessment and stages (American Journal of Alzheimer’s Care and Research, 1990); (2) Training Manual on Dementia Care (Johns Hopkins University, 1996, ISBN 978-0-8018-5277-0); and further co-authored with Dr. George G. Glenner a chapter on dementia, delirium, amnestic and cognitive disorders for Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health (Mosby, 1996).

Gerry was a volunteer School Nurse at St. Didacus Catholic School, San Diego, CA; a volunteer Instructor for the American Red Cross in CPR, First Aid, and Child Care; Founding President of the City of San Diego Council on Aging; and a member of the San Diego Providers Council. Gerry was also active in the Pro-Life movement, and after retirement she volunteered at Coronado Hospital in their gift shop.

Shortly after arriving in San Diego, in August 1961, Gerry met John James “Jim” Strachan over a homemade spaghetti dinner at their mutual friends. It was love at first sight and they were engaged two weeks later. Six months after meeting, the two were married on February 3, 1962 at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, San Diego, California – a marriage that lasted 56 blissful years. They raised their family in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego and retired to Coronado. In 2017, Jim and Gerry moved to Solana Beach.

The Strachans were long-time parishioners at St. Didacus Catholic Church in San Diego and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Coronado.

Gerry will be remembered as being a loving wife and mother with deep connections to the communities in which she lived and volunteered. She had a passion for the arts and literacy, excellent knitting skills, and a small mischievous streak. Gerry was always quick to share her smile, which could not only light up a room, but the universe.

She is survived by her husband Jim, and children (and spouses) John Robert Strachan (and Kim) of Jacksonville, FL; James “Jim” Andrew Strachan (and Margaret) of Temecula, CA; William “Bill” Anthony Strachan (and Michele Gachowski) of San Francisco, CA; and Beth Marie Strachan (and Daniel Neuschafer) of Alameda, CA; her seven loving grandchildren: Alesia Sitka (and Aaron Sitka), Keith Strachan, Lindsay Strachan, Taylor Strachan, Ainsley Strachan, Liam Strachan, and Sean Strachan; one great-granddaughter: Evangeline Strachan; and three step-grandchildren: Brendan Hollis; Meghan Hollis, and Rory Hollis. She also is survived by her sole nephew, Jay Shandor (and Shelly Shandor), great-nephew Geoff Shandor, great-niece, Jordana Faria.

Gerry was preceded in death by her eldest child, Alesia Irene Strachan; her brother, Jack Shandor; and her parents, John and Irene Shandor.

A Rosary will be held on Friday, May 4, 2018, at 9:45am, and will be immediately followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass at St. James Catholic Church, 625 S. Nardo Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075 at 10:00 a.m. This will be followed by interment of her ashes at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Dr., San Diego, CA 92102 at noon. The family will host a reception from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at a location to be announced. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of North Coast, Carlsbad, California (https://hospicenorthcoast.org).