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Geraldine Bolla Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Geraldine Bolla
MaryAnn
August 17, 2008
Dear Larry,Mimi, Ed, Ann, Carlene, Sal, Linda, Jack, Gerry’s Grandchildren, & all her beloved Family,
We could write a book, couldn’t we, about the delightful, effervescent, no- nonsense Geraldine Hammann Bolla ... She was so proud of all of you ... often sharing stories of wonderful times at your homes, favorite restaurants, the Peninsula, annual sojourns to a Notre Dame football game & the great “Par-tees!!” ... Your loving, heart-wrenching vigil kept during Gerry’s final weeks, & the moving participation of all Gerry’s grandchildren in the Mass celebrating her life & rebirth will forever be a testament to the deep love, respect, & affection shared by all of you for your Mother/Grandmother & for each other ... ... My memories from 27th Street are ever-present, precious reminders of Gerry’s “fab” parents, aka Aunt Mary & Uncle Louie ... of the Dynamic Duo of Gerry & Lenny .... who graciously allowed all the neighborhood kids to trek through their backyard, the “thruway” between 27th Street & The Alley, the playground of our youth ... (& God bless Emma & John Di Tullio for allowing the extension of that “thruway” along the side of their home to 28th Street) ... Whether we were playing kickball or 50 Scatter in the alley (or in the church field at 28th & Perry ... later a gun club!!) ... or rollerskating from Perry St. to East Avenue on the 900 block of 27th Street, we could always depend on Gerry for a refreshing pitcher of lemonade or to tend to skinned knees & elbows, bumps, & bruises ... Everyone on that block was Family ... Your parents, mine, Sipples, Lairds, Casses Tells, et al, watched over all the neighborhood children ... Jimmy & I have wonderful memories of joining the fun at your home on many Christmas Eves after returning home from spending the earlier part of the evening with our grandparents ... (Joey has memories of Lenny at Allegany that are “a hoot!”) ... Years later, whether on 27th St. or Tremont, at Janet & Bill’s, Mercy Terrace, Joe & Bon’s, the Peninsula, a restaurant, or St. Mary’s, it was always a treat & a delight to spend time with Gerry ... At Mercy Terrace your Mom/Grandmother brought great comfort to my Mom after the Passing of our beloved Dad ... We were sad when Gerry made the decision to leave Mercy Terrace for St. Mary’s (a testament to her capacity to assess the situation, make the painful decision, & follow through, stoically, without any hint of self-pity ...) Memories will always remain of delightful visits there with you, Ann, your son, Jack (maestro of Gerry’s 80th b.d. celebration), my Mom, Gerry’s ever-faithful friend Helen Cancilla, Gen, & others ... A tribute to Gerry, written by Susan Ortyl, St. Mary’s East administrative assistant, wonderfully captures the essence of Gerry: “Helping others has always been a way of life for St. Mary’s East resident Geraldine ‘Gerry’ Bolla. Her exuberance for life, family, & friends is immeasurable.” .... In the same article Helen Lynch of St. Mary’s says of Gerry: “She always has something fun or interesting to share & is welcoming to everyone” ... & Genevieve Szcpinski, Gerry’s friend & daily walking companion, shares: “[Gerry] is such a fun & caring person ... She left for the weekend yesterday to be with her family ... It’s just the first day, & I miss her already. I’m 92 years old & never met anyone like her.” ... None of us have ever met anyone like you, Gerry ... & we have been missing you since the first day of your Passing ... but all of us ... your beloved Family & your Forever Friends are comforted by knowing that the frustrating challenges that began inexorably, relentlessly, limiting your capacity to enjoy life to the fullest have, by God’s grace, been lifted ... that you continue to celebrate your reunion with all your Departed Loved Ones who have been missing you for so long, that precious memories have been restored , that you continue to watch over, with pride, your beloved children & grandchildren ... (& that you WILL be there for every Notre Dame tail-gate party) ... I will carry on our tradition of telling EVERYONE I meet about the woman who was with my Mom when I was born while my Dad was MIA/POW in WWII ... Also, when we are beset by life’s challenges, we will remember one of your favorite sayings, passed down by Grandma Hammann ... “From the day that you’re born ‘til they take you in the hearst, there’s nothin’ so bad that it couldn’t be worse”... and, another to your grandchildren: “ . . . If your baby is a girl, ... don’t name her Geraldine!!” . . .You were, indeed, Geraldine, a legend in your own time! ... You leave a rich legacy of caring, compassion, integrity, fun, & a great zest for life! ... It was/is a true pleasure, privilege, & honor to have known you ... Until we meet again you will be forever in my heart & mind ... God bless you & your loving Family ... for all Eternity.
Love,
MaryAnn
Kevin Monahan
August 13, 2008
Larry and Ann:
My condolences to both of you and your families on the death of your mother. I am sorry I did not make it to the funeral home to express my sympathy.
Annie (Carlotti) Candela
August 1, 2008
Bolla family, I was heartbroken to hear of the loss of your mother. Know that you are in our hearts and prayers during this tough time.
Kathy Miazga
July 27, 2008
Dear Mimi, Larry, Ann, and Ed,
I felt bad when I learned of your mother's passing.
Your mom was such a heart-warming, and thoughtful person.
She was so full of life.
Kathy Miazga
Mercy Terrace
Carolyn Kacprowicz
July 25, 2008
Dear Ann, Larry and Family,
I was so very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I'm sure she had a long and fruitful life but it is still hard to say "goodbye". I doubt that we are ever ready to do so. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Carolyn Kacprowicz
Becky Scolio
July 25, 2008
Dear Ann,
So sorry to read about your mother's passing. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult and very busy time. Hope all is well with you, Jack and the kids.
Becky and John Scolio
Mary Lou Bowser
July 24, 2008
Dear Bolla Family:
My heart is saddened by the loss of Geri, I hope you find comfort in telling & laughing at some of the great "Geri" stories. May she rest in peace.
Love,
Nye
Nancy Sipple Zimmerman
July 24, 2008
Dear Larry, Mimi, Ed and Ann, Pat and Alex,
I was very sad when I read that your Mother (Grandmother) had passed away. There is always a flood of memories when one of the founding members of the East 27th Street neighborhood passes on. We all had such a good childhood because everyone's parents watched out for everyone's kids. Gerry was such a wonderful woman: always kind and protective of all of us kids. She will really be missed here in this life, but I have got to think that there is a neighborhood barbeque or something in heaven with all of the past "mayors" of 27th St. sharing old stories.
God bless all of you in your sadness.
Love,
Nancy Sipple Zimmerman
Annie Schleicher
July 23, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Paul & Doreen Gorniak
July 23, 2008
Ed, Larry, Mimi, Ann,
Our hearts are saddened by the loss of your beloved mother Geri. We have alot of fond memories of her, especially from the July 4th picnics. Her legacy lives on through all of you and through your children. She was always so proud of you guys. We will remember all of you in our prayers.
Our sincere sympathy,
Gretchen Rickrode
July 23, 2008
Here's a toast to a wonderful lady. She has always been a special part of our family...Grandma Gerry to our girls. She will be greatly missed!
Love and prayers,
Gretchen, Jeff and Family
Betsy and Tom Trapp
July 23, 2008
Dear Larry,Ann,Eddie and Mimi and Families, We are thinking of all of you at this time. I have some great memories of GOOD times with your Mom. She was a GRAND lady. Love and Prayers.. Betsy (Diefenbach) and Tom
Mary Murosky
July 23, 2008
Dear Bolla Family,
You are in my thoughts & prayers at this difficult time. I had the pleasure of meeting Geri at St. Mary's while visiting my Mom there. She was a very friendly & pleasant lady. She always had a smile on her face. I hope you find comfort in the loving memories that you have of her. Sincerely,
BOB FORBES
July 22, 2008
7-22-08
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. some very fond memories
Bob and Shelly Forbes
Sue Peters
July 22, 2008
Dear Larry, Ann, Eddie and especially Mimi:
I am so glad I could come last week to say my "good-byes" to Geri. You all know how special she was to me...my second Mom! I am thankful that she is finally at peace.
My love to all of you
Cheri Danielson
July 22, 2008
Ann & family,
You have my deepest sympathy. My prayers are with you and your family.
Cheri Danielson
(Penn State Behrend)
Noelle Mattix
July 22, 2008
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time.
VICKY and Chris Stork
July 22, 2008
Dear Bolla Family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We will miss Geri and her wonderful sense of humor.She will always have a special place in our hearts.
Yvonne Lee (Ewert)
July 22, 2008
Mary and family,
We were very sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Lee and family
Dave Eckert
July 22, 2008
Our deepest condolences to the family of Gerry Bolla. Our fondest memories were of Aunt Gerry & Uncle Leonard at the crazy Xmas Eve parties at the Eckert's home.
Love to all,
Rita, Bill, & Dave Eckert
Lisa Harrington
July 22, 2008
Ann and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
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