Ms. Geraldine L. Hobson Whiteman

Geraldine Lee (Hobson / Smoot) Whiteman

Aug. 12, 1932 – May 17, 2014.

Gerry, affectionately known as Sissy by her friends and family, passed away peacefully at Villa St. Francis in Olathe, Kansas after a lengthy illness. Her much loved husband and best friend of 32 years, Paul Whiteman, was by her side. Gerry was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Joe and Gladyce Hobson. She was greeted as she entered heaven by them, her sisters Joann and Janet and her much loved Aunt Monie and Grandma Dorcas. Waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge was a whole lifetime worth of dogs and cats who were as dear to her as her own children. Nothing was more important to Gerry than her friends and family. She is survived by six daughters and their husbands whom she loved as her own sons: Sheryl (James) McClure; Linda (Denny) Giles; Dana (Steve) Testa; Janice Blanton; Paula Keil; and Pam (Darl) Kemper. She cherished her thirteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren who will always remember Grandma Nonny’s smiling face and ready laugh. Gerry was a woman with a giant heart, and a generous spirit wrapped in a tiny 4’11” tall body. She never let her small stature get in the way of her many accomplishments. Before retiring she had a long and successful career at GSA and the DoE. After retirement she had more time to do the things she loved. She and Paul loved to travel and logged thousands of miles criss-crossing the western United States in their RV. She was an avid photographer, and used her 35mm camera to capture the images of the beautiful country they loved, and the portraits of those that were most dear to her. Gerry was a wonderful seamstress. While raising four daughters, she sewed many of their clothes. She made sure that her children and grandchildren had plenty of homemade baby quilts and afghans to remember her by. Gerry was an accomplished painter and her beautiful paintings hang in her childrens’ homes. She loved to create ceramics, plant flower gardens, play cards and reminisce with her friends, many whom she had known since her days at Northeast High School. Gerry's family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers at Villa St. Francis for the loving, compassionate care that they provided for the last 4 1/2 years of her life. The hearts of those left behind are breaking, but we know that heaven has another angel, and she will be there to greet us when we are all reunited again. Services will be Thursday, May 22, 2014 at Floral Hills Funeral Home, Kansas City Missouri at 12 O’clock. Visitation one hour prior to the service at 11 o’clock. Donations to honor Gerry’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, or the Great Plains SPCA, 9800 W 67th St, Merriam, KS 66203. (D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO 64133, 816-353-1218)