Geraldine (Gerry) Richards

Geraldine Richards, 83, of Wickenburg, Arizona, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018, at Banner Del Web Hospital in Surprise, Arizona. She was stricken with a week-long bout of pneumonia, followed by congestive heart failure. Daughter Teresa Macke, brother-in-law Jack Richards and Pastor Rod Hackett were by her side.

Geraldine (Gerry) was born April 1, 1935, in Chatauqua, N.Y., a daughter of late Reuban and Sadie Fox. The family, with 9 children, moved to Clear Lake, Washington in 1941. She was a graduate of Sedro Wooley High School in Washington. She then went on to earn her nursing degree, which would be utilized for almost 40 years.

On February 24, 1956, Gerry married her predeceased husband, William Richards. They were married in Clear Lake Church in Washington. They eventually settled in Yakima, Washington to raise a son, Kenneth Richards, and a daughter, Teresa.

Gerry is survived by four siblings, Alan Fox of Clear Lake, Washington, Beatrice Gee of Rosedale, Oregon, Audrey Bianchi of Lake Havasu, Arizona and Alvina Raven of New York, also Gerry's son Kenneth of Perth, Australia with his wife, Sue, and daughter Teresa of Yakima, Washington, with her husband Stephen Macke.

Gerry was especially proud of her grandson, Derek Ryan Wilks of Alma, Colorado, and his wife, Katie. Gerry really loved the desert and its warm weather; swimming, playing cards with her family, exercising with her friends in her retirement community at North Ranch in Arizona, beadwork, attending church events, and Dairy Queen vanilla ice cream cones. Gerry especially enjoyed an Alaskan cruise taken with her husband, Bill, and visiting her son in Australia and loved visiting her daughter in Yakima.

Gerry was a pistol. She was a strong Christian woman and was a driving force wherever she went. She will be missed deeply by many.

A celebration service was held in Wickenburg, Arizona. Condolences or fond memories may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com