Geralyn G. Peterkin of Tequesta, Florida, passed away on July 6, 2024, she was 87 years old. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Roger O. Peterkin, Jr. She and Roger lived in Newburgh, New York until 1995 when they moved to Cape Cod and then Florida in 2019.
She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy and was vice-president of her graduating class. She was active in the drama club and a member of the National Honor Society. Geralyn received a bachelor's degree from Mount Saint Mary College, where she graduated cum laude and was named an Aquinas Scholar. She then received a master’s degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz. She was active in the Newburgh Junior League.
Geralyn taught high school English for twenty-five years, and in 1992 she was named A Teacher of Excellence by the New York State English Council. In 1994 she was designated Who's Who Among American Educators.
Always interested in theatre, Geralyn performed with community groups in Newburgh, and then on Cape Cod with the Cotuit Center for the Arts and the Woods Hole Theatre. She also taught a Shakespeare course at the Falmouth Night School.
She and her husband created a summer camp for their ten grandchildren, which they called "Camp Nanny and Pop." Every summer, she abridged a Shakespearean play, which the children then performed for their parents in full costume. In 1999, the Cape Cod Times wrote an extensive article about Camp Nanny and Pop, with photos of that year's play, Henry V.
Together with her husband, Geralyn directed and adapted plays at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. She also volunteered at the Audible Local Ledger in Falmouth.
Geralyn and her husband were avid travelers and were especially passionate about Italy. She and her husband spent many months each year enjoying the Italian culture, people, and cuisine. She even wrote and published a book entitled Italy: I Love You! about their over 30 trips to Italy.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her children, Roger O. Peterkin, III and his wife Susan of Wellesley, Massachusetts, Leslie Crill and her husband Michael of Monroe, New York, Mark Peterkin of Centerville, Massachusetts, Kimberly Brisky of Stuart, Florida, ten grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Her remains will be cremated and a private family service will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Planned Parenthood Association of America, the Woods Hole Theatre, the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts, or Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York.
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