Geraldine Hunt Gaughan

Geraldine Gaughan passed away on March 6 surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Dr. Walter and Ethel J. Hunt on January 31, 1924, in Paola, Kansas. When Gerry was a teenager, she and her mother moved to an apartment on the square. There, Gerry met the love of her life, John, who lived in the same building. In the early days, Gerry would listen for John whistling a tune and then rush out to the desk in the hallway and pretend to write a letter. The young sweethearts married on July 10, 1943. So began a life of adventure. John was late to the wedding, as the map showing the way to the church had blown out the airplane window, and he was forced to find the town by reading the names on the water towers. As an Air Force wife, Gerry moved with John to Alaska, Colorado, and Illinois, having several children along the way. After being thrown out of their apartment into a snowy Chicago night by a certain landlady, the family moved back to Paola, and finally, Fairway, Kansas. There, the ten Gaughan children attended St. Agnes, Bishop Miege, and Rockhurst High School. It was a point of pride that she and John were able to put all ten children through college.

When her children were grown, Gerry worked at the family insurance agency. She had been a gymnast once and enjoyed walking in the mornings with friends through much of her adult life. Though Gerry had grown up an only child, she loved being surrounded by a big family, and she is best remembered for her laughter at all their stories. She hosted the holidays until the very end, specializing in Army-sized portions of goulash, tetrazzini, and cheesy grits, and later was cared for in the family home by her children and caretakers, Sue, Maggie, Veronica, and Elizabeth. She is preceded in death by parents Ethel and Walter, husband John, and daughter Kathy (Tom) Ohm. She is survived by children Pat (Rich) Brewster, Mike Gaughan, John Gaughan, Tom (Denise) Gaughan, Mary Gaughan (Lenny Setina, d.), Steve (Margaret) Gaughan, Mo (Dan) Orpin, Jerry (Maureen) Gaughan, Beth Gaughan (Devida Chacon), 18 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren with two on the way.

A Rosary will be held at St. Agnes Church, 5250 Mission Road, at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 10, followed by a visitation. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Agnes or Don Bosco Centers.