Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and dear friend to so many, she tragically left us after a brief illness on Sunday, January 31, 2021. She leaves to mourn her husband Bill; son Ryan and his wife, Coralie; and daughter Jessica Chambers and her husband, Adam. Her greatest pride and joy are her five beautiful grandchildren, Logan, Ethan and Aidan Hollohan, Nicholas Chambers, and after four wonderful boys, her beautiful granddaughter, Landyn Marie Chambers.
She is also survived by her siblings Heather Patterson (Tom), Lorna Romeo (Gary), Lynn Yetman (Len Ivey), Sheliah Yetman (Tod Jackson), her only brother Jamie Yetman (Colette), and her special cousin, whom she considered a sister, Cindy Mullins. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Dawn and Janice Hollohan.
As an aunt, no one was better at worrying, comforting, loving, or spoiling, than Aunt Deno. She is deeply mourned by her nieces and nephews: Jennifer Bond, Cathy Yetman, Tim and Mark Patterson, Brendan Dugas, Matthew Romeo, Erica, Mia and Ava Yetman, Kerry Ferguson, Michelle and Kristen Smith, Alexis and Josie Sutherland, Janel MacCormick and James Hollohan. As the nieces and nephews grew, they provided a new crop of babies to nurture and spoil with love and affection, which she often did with epic pool parties. While many too young to understand, we know they loved her and we will ensure they remember her. Adriana, Lilah, Marley, Presley, Audrey, Sophie, Rita, Rory, Callum, Ruby, Eva, Jimmy, Hannah, Angus, Owen, Nora, Juliette, Madelyn and Blake; Aunt Deno loved you immensely.
She was predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Marie Yetman, her in-laws, Jim and Eva Hollohan and brothers-in-law Jimmy Hollohan and Billy MacLeod.
Geraldine grew up in North Sydney attending Gannon Rd. School and St. Joseph’s High School. She attended Xavier Junior College where she formed many strong friendships she cherished until the end. She would tell you those were the best years, and it is where she met the love of her life, Bill. She was a graduate of Cape Breton Business College and spent the entirety of her working life with The Cooperators Insurance Company before retiring due to illness. She was well respected in her career, and was formally appreciated through a number of Service Excellence Awards.
A constant worrier of all things, it took her daughter moving to “The Rock” to get her on an airplane. While there may have been some medicinal support, she overcame her fears to become a frequent flyer. She managed to get to “The Big Apple” where she got to see her favourite, Kelly Ripa, and at the show, she greeted all the producers by first name, much to Jessica’s embarrassment! She also traveled to Toronto and enjoyed her birthday with her husband and one of her favorite singers, Ed Sheeran. She also enjoyed two wonderful trips to Florida, which she enjoyed immensely, and made a number of good friends.
Despite her recent flights of fancy, Geraldine was a true homebody and that was where she was at peace and where all were welcomed.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private family celebration of life will happen under the direction of T.W. Curry Funeral Home and officiated by Father Doug MacDonald. The funeral mass will be live streamed for those wishing to attend virtually. The livestream may be viewed by visiting TW Curry’s facebook page on Saturday, February 6 and will start at 11:00am.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.twcurry.com.
Memorial donations may be made to Cape Breton Cancer Centre or a charity of one’s choice.
“Fly my darling bride, fly. Fly into heaven and take your rightful place among the angels”. Love your husband. I will love you forever.
