Geri Van Zyl

Geri was a community activist, proud Unitarian, and award-winning businesswoman who left an indelible legacy far beyond her hometown of Gresham. She was truly a force of nature: super-smart, highly driven, generous, funny, and beloved by family and friends. She was a devoted wife to her husband of 68 years, Donald Van Zyl, and a proud mother of three children, Cathy, Mary, and Ariel, and two grandsons, Gavin and Garrett.

Geri was born in Portland on December 14, 1925, to Larry Halif Cermack and Ila Mae (Powell) Cermack. She was the oldest of eight children. Geri spent her early childhood in Eastern and Central Oregon where her father helped build the Owyhee and Bonneville Dams and welded fishing nets for Native Americans at Celilo. She revered her parents, who taught her the value of hard work, a sure sense of right and wrong, and a dedication to social justice. Geri attended grade school in Rockwood, and then graduated from Gresham Union High School. While working at a bakery after school, she met Donald, who became her school sweetheart and loving husband. Following high school, Geri worked at Western Union and as an executive secretary, while Donald enlisted and served in the military. In New York City, Geri worked at an advertising agency while Don completed his Masters Degree at NYU.

Back in Portland, during the 1960s and 1970s, Geri was an active member of the First Unitarian Church. She led outreach projects to help poor and underserved communities; she worked to abolish the death penalty and establish more effective gun control. She was a proud member of the League of Women Voters. In 1968, Geri ran the field office staff for Robert F. Kennedy’s Oregon primary campaign. Among her prized possessions were typed speeches that Senator Kennedy had pencil-edited and a handwritten card from Ethel Kennedy thanking her for her condolences after his assassination. During the 1970s, Geri helped to spearhead an effort to link Gresham and Ebetsu, Japan, as sister cities. She was part of the U.S. delegation to Japan, and remembered the warm welcome as one of the highlights of her life. In 1971, Geri and Don opened the Glass Butterfly in downtown Gresham and stocked it with cutting-edge fashion for women and juniors. Outside of the retail giants at Lloyd Center, it was the only local outlet for trendy women’s wear. The Glass Butterfly, a true family business, expanded to include a second location. Geri did most of the buying, flying often to the fashions centers of New York City and Los Angeles. She knew all of the designers, all of the lines, all of the sales reps. After 22 years of exhausting, but exhilarating work, Geri and Don sold their business in 1993. Today, the Glass Butterfly remains a core part of the Gresham business district.

Following her retirement, Geri remained active in social causes, advocating for immigrant justice and marriage equality, and working to reduce gun violence. She enjoyed gardening, baking, and traveling the world with Don and her family. Geri’s greatest joy was seeing her children and grandchildren grow up to lead remarkable lives of their own.

Geri was preceded in death by her parents, Larry Halif Cermack and Ila Mae (Powell) Cermack; siblings Richard, Larrita, Larry (“Bud”), Ellen, Allen, and Robert.

She is survived by her loving husband, Donald Van Zyl; daughters Catherine Van Zyl, Mary Van Zyl (John Hynes), Ariel Kane (Shya Kane); grandsons Gavin Payne, Garrett Payne; sister Joyce Welch; five step-grandchildren and nine step-great grandchildren.