IN MEMORIAM: Geraldine L. Kennedy, 96;
Business Exec Active In Democratic Politics
ONEONTA – Geraldine LaGrua Kennedy, 96, a business executive active in Democratic politics, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Basset Hospital.
Survivors include two daughters in Oneonta.
Geraldine was born Aug. 13, 1922, in Brooklyn, the daughter of the late Fred and Elvira (Santangelo) LaGrua.
Gerry met the love of her life Howard Carvil Kennedy in Brooklyn while still in high school. They were married on Nov. 1, 1942. Together they traveled through life with a shared love of family, friends and new adventures. Howard predeceased her on Oct. 25, 1998.
Moving to Long Island while raising her three children, Geraldine was active in politics as a Republican committeewoman and an elections. She was also president of the local Little League.
She returned to work as a systems analyst, first with a physicians group, then with Eastern Sates Bankcard Association, where she was in charge of a newly burgeoning credit-card call system. Gerry continued her career moving to Connecticut, first as systems analyst, then as vice president of Society for Savings in Hartford.
Retiring to Florida, Gerry was able to indulge her passion for travel visiting all 50 states, Europe, South American, the Caribbean and her beloved Sicily. Whether traveling with her husband, daughters or alone, she engaged with everyone.
After the death of her husband, Gerry began to volunteer at Orlando Regional Center in the emergency department and at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in the NICU.
She renewed her political interests and campaigned vigorously for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
Central to her life were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mom to her children, Nana to her grandchildren and Nana GiGi to her great-grandchildren, she was their strongest advocate; making sure they were all well-dressed, well-fed and well-versed in the politics of the day. Strong, passionate and loving are words that defined her.
Geraldine is survived by her three children, George Robert (Debra) Kennedy, Orlando, Fla., Patricia Ellen Kennedy (Jack Schluep), Oneonta, and Geraldine Geisler, Oneonta; eight grandchildren, John David (Christina) Kennedy, Orlando, Fla., Daniel Howard Kennedy, Orlando, Fla., Rae Marie (Craig) Martin, Wellington, Fla., Taylor (Meredith) Schluep, Oneonta, Christopher (Ahn) Schluep, Seattle, Wash., John Paul (Farnaz) Schluep, Larchmont, Richard (Sarah) Geisler, Rochester and Amanda Geisler, St. Louis, Mo.; nine great-grandchildren, Jack, Harrison, Ella June, Kian, William, Nicholas, Phoebe, Lydia and Millie George; one sister, Genevieve (Jack) Wyman, Schellsburg, Pa.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by four sisters, Rosalie, Theresa, Anna and Frances; and two brothers, Robert and Thomas.
Calling hours will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, April 26, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, with the Rev. David Mickiewicz officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.
Memorial donations may be made to Springbrook, 105 Campus Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820, in loving memory of Geraldine LaGrua Kennedy.
Online condolences may be made at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.