Geraldine "Geri" Katherine Carini-Garcia

She was born August 27, 1925, at Hartford Hospital, the daughter of the late John F. and Katherine (Scallia) Carini. She grew up in Chester, graduating from Chester High School, Class of 1943, and Hartford Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1946. As a student nurse, she cared for victims of the Hartford Circus Fire before becoming a Registered Nurse at Hartford Hospital, her career for the next 43 years until retirement in 1987.

During her days at Chester High School, she and her cousin, Alma, volunteered with the Army Air Force Ground Observer Corps as plane spotters during World War II.

Geri specialized in orthopedics, becoming the first Nurse Clinician in Orthopedics at Hartford Hospital, part of a nursing team that developed protocols in joint replacement. She co-authored the book, 'Traction Made Manageable' translated into several languages. André Garcia, the book's illustrator, was Geri's longtime ballroom dancing partner. Following her retirement in 1987, André became her husband and partner in life until his passing in 2008.

Daughter of an infantryman who served in France during World War I, Geri was a lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 97, an active member of the Chester High School Alumni, Hartford Hospital School of Nursing Alumni, American Orthopedic Nurses Association and the Chester Historical Society.

Caring and compassion were hallmarks of her century of life - for her younger sister and brother, for cousins and friends, for pets, groups of feral cats, and birds and animals of all kinds.

Thanks to loving care from relatives and live-in companions, Geri was able to enjoy the peace and comfort of her own home until the last.

Geraldine will reunite with her parents; her husband, André, beloved sister Frances Ann, her devout brother Monsignor James P. Carini, who provided weekly prayers, communion and Mass for his sisters; and beloved cousin Alma Carini Doak as well as many dear family members.

Geraldine, a dearly loved relative, will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by her many cousins and friends — particularly the six Doak cousins and their families.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook beginning with public visitation from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 48 Middlesex Avenue, Chester. Following the Mass, burial will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, adjacent to the church. Donations in Geraldine’s name may go to Pet Animal Welfare Society of CT (PAWS), 504 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 https://www.pawsct.org or a charity of one’s choice.