Geraldine Eleanor Gassek

Geraldine "Gerri" Eleanor Brosius Gassek Mrs. Edward William Gassek June 23, 1942- February 10, 2021 Gerri was born in Hartford CT to Nicholas William Corbett Brosius, formerly of Berlin, NH and Eleanor "Pat" McKeen Brosius, formerly of Fort Kent and Milo, ME. Gerri grew up in New Britain, CT during WWII, moved to Worcester, MA in 1952 and has made her home in Alexandria, VA since 1966. She overcame many devastating adversities. Including surviving the deadly F4 tornado in June 1953 in Worcester, MA. Her home on Brandon Rd was destroyed with Gerri and her father cramped in a fireplace. She contracted Polio and was temporarily paralyzed during the 1950s epidemic suffering lifelong after effects. Undoubtedly, the most traumatic event came in May 1984 with the sudden death of her loving 42-year-old husband, Ed. Growing up in Worcester she attended the Greendale School, Thorndyke Junior High and graduated North High School in 1960. In high school she was an ace baton twirler and majorette. She was a member of the Bancroft Assembly of Rainbow Girls and the Camp Fire Girls. She played the Glockenspiel in an American Legion drum and bugle corps and competed all over New England. Gerri attended Keene State College in NH, studying English. She met Ed, her future husband, on stage in an acting class. After graduating in 1964, she taught in Worcester County. In August 1965 she and Ed married in an Episcopalian service at St Michael’s on the Heights church in Worcester (restored after massive tornado damage). They moved to Amsterdam, NY, where he began his teaching career. In 1966, they settled in Alexandria, VA where Ed earned a Master's Degree at Catholic University while teaching English and Drama at Fort Hunt HS in Fairfax County. In 1970 they were blessed with their only child, Laura, the joy of their lives. Following Ed’s untimely death, Gerri worked at Resumes Plus, a head-hunting firm, writing resumes and helping clients job search. Later, Gerri worked as a ghost writer and office manager for a famous fitness instructor and author. Gerri was the principal caregiver for her aging mother, Pat Brosius, who lived actively until age 97 and sadly passed in 2008. Gerri was a natural teacher and descended from several generations of teachers. In her college years she would work summers at Marion's Camp on Lake Singletary in Sutton, MA mentoring teens. She was a member of several book clubs, Red Hat Society, Maine State Society and Lydia Circle at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She enjoyed all things Irish, writing, reading, mysteries, classical music, politics, and her pool with Amish gazebo. Gerri loved pets and was honored to share her loving home through the years with several rescue dogs and cats. She enjoyed traveling to Yorktown, VA and New England for family events. She maintained vast online connections with friends from CA to ME. Gerri loved the beach, ocean and especially lighthouses. Recently, she was able to spend time every summer with family and friends in Ocean City, MD. During the last several years of her life as her health declined her dear friend Paul was her constant caregiver. Gerri died in her sleep at her home in Alexandria in the early morning hours of February 10, 2021 with Paul at her side. Immediate survivors include: friend Paul Haley, a sister who is a retired career diplomat, daughter Laura, son-in-law Bill and two grandsons, Garrett and Edward Lewis all of Alexandria plus several nieces, nephews and cousins in NH, ME, CA and FL. Interment in the Lee Garden next to her husband at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S. Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers are encouraged for Gerri's favorite charities: American Red Cross redcross.org or Friends of Homeless Animals FOHA.org 39710 Goodpuppy Lane, Aldie, VA.