Geraldine R. (Gerry) Pezalski
September 18, 1921 May 27, 2013
Geraldine R. "Gerry" Pezalski, 91, formerly of Philipsburg, died Monday, May 27, 2013, at the Fairways of Brookline in State College, where she had resided for the past two years. Born on Sept. 18, 1921, in Philipsburg, she was a daughter of the late Salvatore and Pasqualina (Alberalla) Ruggiero, and the youngest of ten children. Gerry was a 1940 graduate of the Philipsburg High School. Upon her graduation she accepted a secretarial position at the Wolf Furniture Store in Philipsburg and worked there for six years. On Sept. 21, 1946, in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osceola Mills, she married Raymond H. Pezalski Sr., who preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 2001. They moved to Niagara Falls until 1948, then returned to their hometown and raised their family. In 1964, Gerry accepted a receptionist position at Mid-State Bank where her friendly smile welcomed customers until her retirement in 1986. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and aunt. Her laughter, kindness and generous heart are memories her family and friends will always cherish. Gerry loved to cook and always made more than enough food when entertaining family and friends. Her rice pudding was revered by everyone. She enjoyed card games and shopping sprees with her friends, and spending time with her family. She was also an avid fan of Penn State football. She was a lifelong member of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Philipsburg and the Altar and Rosary Society. Geraldine is survived by a son, Raymond H. Pezalski and his wife, Cynthia, of Boalsburg; a daughter, Linda K. Stevens and her husband, John, of Stormstown; two sisters, Anna and Connie Ruggiero, of Philipsburg; five grandchildren, Carrie Lamb and her husband, Dr. Paul Lamb, of Philipsburg, Dr. Tyler Pezalski and his wife, Jocelyn, of Southern Pines, N.C., Caitlin Dare and her husband, Eric, of State College, Bret Stevens, of Occoquan, Va., Matt Stevens and his wife, Jessica, of Langhorne, Pa.; ten great grandchildren; one sister-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by twin infant great granddaughters; six brothers; and one sister. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1, 2013, 1 p.m., at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Philipsburg, with the Rev. Robert J. Kelly as celebrant. Burial will be at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Philipsburg. Friends will be received on Friday, May 31, 2013, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, Philipsburg. The rosary will be recited on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Gerry may be sent to Home Nursing Agency Hospice Foundation, 201 Chestnut Ave., PO Box 352, Altoona, PA 16603 or to the Brookline Employees Fund, 1950 Cliffside Drive, State College, PA 16801. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Sheldon Henry and Dr. Jonathan Dranov for the care and attention they gave to Geraldine over the years. Friends may sign the guestbook by going to beezerheathfh.com.
Published in Centre Daily Times on May 30, 2013
September 18, 1921 May 27, 2013
Geraldine R. "Gerry" Pezalski, 91, formerly of Philipsburg, died Monday, May 27, 2013, at the Fairways of Brookline in State College, where she had resided for the past two years. Born on Sept. 18, 1921, in Philipsburg, she was a daughter of the late Salvatore and Pasqualina (Alberalla) Ruggiero, and the youngest of ten children. Gerry was a 1940 graduate of the Philipsburg High School. Upon her graduation she accepted a secretarial position at the Wolf Furniture Store in Philipsburg and worked there for six years. On Sept. 21, 1946, in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osceola Mills, she married Raymond H. Pezalski Sr., who preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 2001. They moved to Niagara Falls until 1948, then returned to their hometown and raised their family. In 1964, Gerry accepted a receptionist position at Mid-State Bank where her friendly smile welcomed customers until her retirement in 1986. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and aunt. Her laughter, kindness and generous heart are memories her family and friends will always cherish. Gerry loved to cook and always made more than enough food when entertaining family and friends. Her rice pudding was revered by everyone. She enjoyed card games and shopping sprees with her friends, and spending time with her family. She was also an avid fan of Penn State football. She was a lifelong member of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Philipsburg and the Altar and Rosary Society. Geraldine is survived by a son, Raymond H. Pezalski and his wife, Cynthia, of Boalsburg; a daughter, Linda K. Stevens and her husband, John, of Stormstown; two sisters, Anna and Connie Ruggiero, of Philipsburg; five grandchildren, Carrie Lamb and her husband, Dr. Paul Lamb, of Philipsburg, Dr. Tyler Pezalski and his wife, Jocelyn, of Southern Pines, N.C., Caitlin Dare and her husband, Eric, of State College, Bret Stevens, of Occoquan, Va., Matt Stevens and his wife, Jessica, of Langhorne, Pa.; ten great grandchildren; one sister-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by twin infant great granddaughters; six brothers; and one sister. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 1, 2013, 1 p.m., at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Philipsburg, with the Rev. Robert J. Kelly as celebrant. Burial will be at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Philipsburg. Friends will be received on Friday, May 31, 2013, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, Philipsburg. The rosary will be recited on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Gerry may be sent to Home Nursing Agency Hospice Foundation, 201 Chestnut Ave., PO Box 352, Altoona, PA 16603 or to the Brookline Employees Fund, 1950 Cliffside Drive, State College, PA 16801. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Sheldon Henry and Dr. Jonathan Dranov for the care and attention they gave to Geraldine over the years. Friends may sign the guestbook by going to beezerheathfh.com.
Published in Centre Daily Times on May 30, 2013